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.