RI, Portuguese negotiators end talks on East Timor

RI, Portuguese negotiators end talks on East Timor

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters): Indonesian and Portuguese
negotiators wrapped up talks on an autonomy package for troubled
East Timor on Friday but their foreign ministers this weekend
will have to discuss how, when or whether the plan would be
implemented, the United Nations said.

"We have reached agreement on the document in all the elements
where it was reasonably possible to arrive at an agreement," said
U.N. mediator Jamsheed Marker of the latest round of week-long
technical talks between the two sides.

"But we are constrained by the basic differences in positions
which we have now to take into account before we can go further,"
he said.

Portugal, the former colonial power in East Timor, insists
that the autonomy package can only be a transition until the
residents of the territory, controlled by Indonesia, decide their
final status in a popular vote.

In contrast Indonesia, whose authority over the territory has
not been recognized by the United Nations, wants autonomy as an
end in itself, apparently fearing that other regions would opt
for a referendum on their future.

As a second option, Jakarta recently suggested independence,
implying it could come soon if autonomy was rejected, thereby
raising fears of a civil war. It rejected a referendum and said
the views of the Timorese would be determined by U.N.
consultations with their leaders.

The two ministers, Ali Alatas of Indonesia and Jaime Gama of
Portugal, meet Marker on Sunday and Secretary-General Kofi Annan
on Monday. But Marker said there would be no signature on a
document but a charting "of the next phase of our course."

He also said that a major issue to be discussed would be how
to quell the growing unrest in East Timor and to reduce the
weapons in the hands of all factions.

Marker, a Pakistani diplomat, said for the first time that he
believed a large majority of Timorese favored independence but
not immediately because of the violence it might unleash.

"I think there is a large majority in favor. But I don't think
it is unanimous," he said, adding that the pro-independence
faction was "also aware of the fact that many of their
compatriots are not entirely of that view and therefore would
probably prefer a period of transition."

Tension in the territory of 800,000 heightened after Indonesia
said last week it might let the East Timor go -- abruptly
reversing 24 years of staunch opposition to any suggestion of
independence.

Portugal abandoned the territory in 1976 after which it was
invaded by Indonesia. In the ensuing years some 200,000 East
Timorese have died since in fighting or as a result of disease
and starvation.

The autonomy proposals, not yet released, involve East
Timorese controlling all aspects of administration except defense
and foreign affairs -- and some financial issues which Marker
called "tricky." It includes a judicial system and arrangements
to elect a parliament.

Marker said the document, in itself, could be the basis of a
constitution, regardless of the territory's future status.

East Timorese figures, including resistance fighter Xanana
Gusmao and Bishop Carlos Belo, have said they want several years
of autonomy to rebuild the shattered society and a referendum so
people could choose between independence, Indonesia rule or
federation with Portugal.

Indonesia has been accused of arming pro-independence
militias, but Jakarta's army has denied this, although it said
some Timorese paramilitary groups received weapons.

"I raised these concerns with the Indonesian authorities. I
have received their assurances they have not been arming.
Nevertheless arms exist and this is a matter of great concern,"
Marker said.