Papal envoy urges talks on E. Timor

Papal envoy urges talks on E. Timor

JAKARTA (JP): Papal envoy Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, who has just concluded a three-day "pastoral" visit to East Timor, said he was aware of the international political problem concerning the territory but refused to enter into the discussion on it.

"I am aware that an international political problem exists concerning East Timor. It is not my competence to enter into that question," he said in a written statement he distributed to reporters after meeting President Soeharto at the latter's Jl. Cendana residence in Central Jakarta.

The President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, however, called for more dialogue among all parties involved.

"I believe in the power of dialogue...I express my encouragement, as the pope himself has done, for all the efforts of dialogue at present," he said.

"Dialogue is difficult. It requires courage, patience and determination, mutual respect and understanding," he said.

"I wish to reaffirm my conviction that there can be no justice without peace and that there can be no peace without justice," he said. "Respect for human rights is the only way in which justice and peace can be brought together."

Although Etchegaray has reiterated that the visit to East Timor was pastoral in nature, his agenda did not include discussion about the diocese of Dili, which currently is separated from the Indonesian Bishop Conference.

"Some foreign news sources attributed to my visit the task of examining the possible division of the diocese of Dili," he said. "I wish to make clear that I have received no mission of this nature."

The Antara news agency quoted a senior officials in charge of Catholic affairs, Ign. Imam Kusenomihardjo, as saying that Etchegaray's visit clearly lent "political weight" to the resolution of the East Timor case.

"Meetings, especially between religious leaders, will surely have political impact," he said after accompanying Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher who received Etchegaray later in the day.

East Timor was integrated into Indonesia in 1976. The United Nations, however, still recognizes Portugal as the administrating power there.

Accompanied by Vatican Ambassador Mgr. Pietro Sambi, Etchegaray yesterday also visited the National Commission on Human Rights.

During the meeting with the commission members, Etchegaray said it was an honor to Indonesia to have the commission "because it cares enough about the nation to promote human rights".

Commission member Miriam Budiardjo said the meeting was only meant to exchange information and did not touch on East Timor. (swe/14)