Peace agreement in East Timor

The peace agreement concluded by the two contending parties in East Timor, i.e. the proindependence group represented by National Resistance Council for an Independent East Timor (CNRT) president Xanana Gusmao and Forum for the Unity of Democracy and Justice chairman Domingos Soares, at the Indonesian Military (TNI) Headquarters in Jakarta is in my opinion a promising step toward a settlement of the East Timor problem that all interested parties in that region want to solve.

Their commitment shows their seriousness in the implementation of the referendum that has become an important agenda for which a conducive condition of stability and safety is required. We must know that agreements at the elite level are often violated by supporting groups at lower levels. It is still remembered how the previous agreement on the surrender of arms was broken. In reality, the contending camps were suspicious of each other and as a consequence, in a relatively short time, armed violence reoccurred.

I hope that the peace agreement will be a historical moment for East Timor and will be a starting point for the two sides to end their enmity caused by the political interest of irresponsible sides which feel they are champions of the people.

The realization of a conducive situation of stability and safety in East Timor in the framework of the implementation of a referendum is not only the responsibility of the security apparatus of the TNI and the police and the contending parties. It is also hoped the UN Mission in East Timor will take a proportional role.

TONI JOENED

Depok, West Java