Tripartite talks aimed at East Timor peace, security

JAKARTA (JP): Senior officials of Indonesia, Portugal and the United Nations (UN) began two-day talks on Thursday aimed at ensuring peace and security in East Timor during the critical period between the Aug. 30 self-determination ballot and Indonesia's final say on vote results.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said the participants were focusing their attention on how to maintain public order, step up reconciliation and prevent armed conflicts during the "Phase Two" period.

"Indonesia, the UN and all other parties have a common interest that during the period after, peace and public order can be maintained and no armed conflict will erupt whatever the result of the ballot may be," Alatas told the media after meeting with President B.J. Habibie at Merdeka Palace.

The minister accompanied the President in receiving UN special envoy Jamsheed Marker and the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) chief Ian Martin.

Alatas said during the transitional period, the UN presence would be strengthened in the territory and efforts would be taken to boost reconciliation and disarmament between the two conflicting parties.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has proposed to increase the number of the UN military liaison officers and civilian police contingents to about 710 personnel, Alatas stated.

He confirmed the President had endorsed Annan's plan, but hinted the basic functions of the blue beret officers would not change at all, and the Indonesian Police would remain the only responsible party in preserving security and public order in the province.

"Yes, in principle, it was agreed by both parties," Alatas replied when asked whether the President approved of the plan.

The minister described the critical stage as a period between the balloting day to around November when the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) would convene and "confirm" the results of the ballot.

Marker said at the same media briefing he was satisfied with the ongoing process ahead of the ballot, and expressed his confidence the tripartite talks between the UN, Portugal and Indonesia would be fruitful.

"We are dealing with a complicated situation, but I am confident that we will be on the right track," Marker noted.

Marker praised the Indonesian government for the tremendous improvement in the security situation in East Timor. "And I am sure it will continue," he added.

Carter

Also at the media briefing, Alatas dismissed the statement from the Carter Center, led by former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, that Indonesian Military and Police assisted prointegration groups in attempting to win the ballot.

"I think foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) tend to be pessimistic in their judgment, and they sometimes draw disproportional conclusions, so it is not only the Carter Center which has a pessimistic view," Alatas commented.

The tripartite talks were attended by the Director General for Political Affairs Nugroho Wisnumurti, his Portuguese counterpart Fernando Neves, Marker and Ian Martin.

"We are going to discuss the second phase of the ballot process and the presence of the United Nations until the implementation of either option, autonomy or independence," Neves told journalists before the meeting.

Separately, Minister of Defense and Security/ Indonesian Military chief Gen. Wiranto reiterated the military would respect the result of the ballot and ensure security in the troubled province even if proindependence was decided.

"We will respect the international agreement," the general disclosed after addressing a seminar in Jakarta.

Wiranto also vowed to ensure security during the critical period between voting day and the MPR's General Session.

Separately, in New York, UN spokesman Fred Eckhard confirmed on Wednesday the death of two students in the town of Viqueque, apparently when Indonesian troops and prointegration militia fired on the National Timorese Resistance Council (CNRT) office.

"The attack took place against a gathering of students ... Two students were killed. One was shot in the head and the other in the chest," Eckhard announced, as quoted by Reuters.

East Timor Police spokesman Capt. Widodo said only one person was killed when two groups of youths clashed in Viqueque on Wednesday, following a motorcycle theft from a local, Hermenegildo, at the local market.

Widodo identified the victim as Mario Sores, 21, who was shot in the forehead. He indicated the alleged thief was a proindependence youth. The victim's friends then retaliated by attacking the local military office, and the thief's friends attacked the local CNRT office.

Viqueque regent Martinho Fernandes gave another version. According to him, the fatal incident occurred when a group of students backed by the CNRT, attacked the house of one of his senior aides.

"It is possible there are different versions about the incident," Widodo commented. (prb)