Solidamor recognizes military's role in E. Timor

Solidamor recognizes military's role in E. Timor

JAKARTA (JP): The Solidarity for Peace in East Timor
(Solidamor) non-governmental organization offered on Monday a
compromise that would maintain the Armed Forces' (TNI) role in a
direct vote to decide on the territory's future.

In a release signed by chairman Bonar Tigor Naipospos,
Solidamor said it proposed meeting halfway due to the forces'
resistance to the presence of a United Nations peacekeeping force
during balloting, which is scheduled for July or August.

"Because TNI has been in East Timor for 23 years, it is
politically and morally responsible for security arrangements
there. But during the transitional period and balloting day, TNI
presence must be put under UN supervisory officers'
coordination," the release said.

Solidamor issued the release in response to a new East Timor
autonomy deal between Indonesia and Portugal in their dialog held
under the auspices of the UN in New York on Friday. The
conflicting parties will not sign the agreement until May 5
because they remain split on direct balloting arrangements and
the size of the UN presence.

Solidamor hailed the deal as "a brighter light which leads to
a settlement", but demanded some conditions to ensure that the
direct vote could run in a fair, just and democratic way.

The requirements include the release of Jose Alexandre
"Xanana" Gusmao, president of the National Resistance Council for
an Independent East Timor (CNRT), the disarmament of warring
groups in the territory and the presence of independent observers
during the balloting.

The Timor Socialist Party (PST) also welcomed and supported
the agreement reached by Indonesia and Portugal, but said it
considered the autonomy package just one of various diplomatic
efforts aimed at finding a resolution to East Timor dispute.

"We, PST, have been struggling for the sake of an independent
state (RDLT), (but) we appreciate options offered by other
political powers in East Timor, including our prointegration
brothers," a PST spokesman, Nelson Tomas Correia, told a media
conference on Monday.

Correia demanded that the UN and Portugal take PST into
account in the peace process, and not just the widely known
Xanana-led CNRT.

"The CNRT is not the only political organization which
struggles for an independent East Timor. We cannot accept CNRT
leadership, either, because it is struggling for a new
independent state," Correia said.

Six students on a hunger strike in support of PST ended their
strike after seven days on Monday. The six students are now being
treated at Carolus hospital in Central Jakarta. Two others are
still striking.

Meanwhile, British Deputy Foreign Minister Derek Fatchett
arrived here on Monday for a three-day visit that will cover East
Timor province. It will be the first visit by a British senior
official to East Timor.

Fatchett is scheduled to meet with several top government
officials, and leaders of political parties and groups involved
in the June 7 general election, the British Embassy said in a
press release.

Fatchett is scheduled to visit East Timor on Wednesday to hold
talks with local figures on the two conflicting sides -- the
prointegration and proindependence camps.

"We have also been prominent in backing the United Nations'
actions to secure a stable future for East Timor. My visit to the
territory is the clearest possible evidence of the strength of
that support," he said.

Fatchett, who visited Jakarta three times last year, said he
would urge those he meets both in Jakarta and Dili to find a
peaceful way forward. (aan/amd)