Portugal PM and Clinton discuss East Timor, NATO

Portugal PM and Clinton discuss East Timor, NATO

WASHINGTON (AFP): President Bill Clinton reiterated U.S.
concerns over human rights abuses in East Timor in talks Thursday
with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres.

The 90-minute meeting included discussions on NATO expansion
and other matters, including the human rights situation in East
Timor, a former Portuguese colony that became part of Indonesia
in 1976.

"My main concern now is to make sure that we have done
everything we could possibly do to respect the political and
human rights of the people in East Timor," Clinton said before
the talks.

Asked about the possibility of a referendum on self-
determination in East Timor, Clinton replied "I think we should
do whatever is most likely to give us sufficient influence to
guarantee basic human rights protection for the people of East
Timor."

"And sometimes, what seems obvious is maybe not the best
course. And we're reviewing what our options are."

Asked whether he thought self-determination was "the ultimate
right," Clinton replied: "well, that depends. That's a very
complicated question. We fought a civil war over it."

In a statement following the talks, the White House said
Clinton "underscored his concern about human rights abuses in
East Timor and his support for UN efforts to promote peace and
reconciliation."

The statement said the talks also stressed the importance of
establishing a government of national unity in Angola, another
former Portuguese colony, and reviewed preparations for a key
North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Madrid, which is to
decide on expansion of the alliance. The leaders also discussed
the need for a cease-fire in Zaire.

Gutteres focused on NATO expansion, saying it was "a basic
condition for democracy, for peace and stability in central and
eastern European countries."

"Of course, we understand that it is very important to
preserve the very special relationship with the new Russia."

"I hope that one day in the future, NATO and Russia can be
allies."

Portugal is one of NATO's 16 members, and a key U.S. ally in
western Europe.

Guterres, who described U.S.-Portugal relations as "excellent"
said Lisbon wanted "a Europe that preserves its Atlantic
character."

"For us, the relationship between Europe and the United States
is an extremely important part of our own way of life."

Also participating in the talks were U.S. Secretary of State
Madeleine Albright and national security adviser Sandy Berger,
and Portugal's Foreign Minister Jaime Gama.

A working lunch included U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen
and other Portuguese officials.

Guterres arrived Tuesday in the United States on an eight-day
visit. Yesterday he was scheduled to address the Organization of
American States and meet with the U.S. Commerce secretary and
World Bank president. He was scheduled to arrive in California
today.