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.