RI, East Timor to discuss residual issues
RI, East Timor to discuss residual issues
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
East Timorese Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri is slated to arrive
here on Tuesday for a four-day working visit to discuss various
residual issues with the Indonesian government following the
secession of the former Indonesian province in 1999.
During his visit, Alkatiri is scheduled to meet Indonesian
President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Wednesday and other senior
Indonesian officials.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said on
Monday that cross-border issues, including traditional markets in
border areas, would be among the topics of discussion.
"Hopefully, we can sign several new agreements that will
further strengthen our forward-looking diplomatic ties," Hassan
said after a meeting with Megawati.
Alkatiri's trip comes on the heels of the furor over his
reported statement expressing his intention of asking for an
international tribunal to try Indonesian Military (TNI) officers
implicated in the 1999 mayhem in East Timor.
Reportedly, Alkatiri suggested the trial be held in a neutral
country, citing the "theatrical legal process" in Indonesia,
which has acquitted 13 military officers of all charges.
Hassan said he had asked for clarification regarding the
report and, according to him, the East Timorese had denied the
statement.
"Alkatiri's office said that the report was inaccurate and
they were ready to correct it," Hassan said, adding that East
Timor remained committed to maintaining relations with its
neighbor, Indonesia.
The minister added that the working visit of Alkatiri
reflected East Timor's desire to strengthen ties with Indonesia.
East Timor seceded from Indonesian in 1999 after the United
Nations-sponsored ballot resulted in an overwhelming vote for
independence.
An Indonesian ad hoc human rights court has tried 18 military
and government officials for crimes against humanity both before
and after the ballot. Only five of the defendants have been
convicted and sentenced, but they remain free pending appeals.
Megawati and Alkatiri are slated to witness the signing on
Wednesday of agreements on cross-border arrangements and the
establishment of traditional markets in border areas.
On Thursday, Alkatiri is scheduled to meet with executives of
the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, state-owned Merpati Nusantara
Airlines, the East Timorese community here and ambassadors from
Portuguese-speaking countries.
Merpati is the only Indonesian airline company that continues
to serve Dili.
Alkatiri will also pay a courtesy call on House of
Representative Speaker Akbar Tandjung and People's Consultative
Assembly Speaker Amien Rais.