UN chief hopes to play role in East Timor

UN chief hopes to play role in East Timor

MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP): UN Secretary-general Boutros Boutros-Ghali said yesterday he hoped the international body could help resolve the future of Indonesian-ruled East Timor.

The United Nations does not recognize Indonesia's sovereignty over East Timor, which integrated into Indonesia in 1976.

Boutros-Ghali has convened talks between the Indonesian government and East Timor's former colonial rulers, Portugal, over the future of the troubled territory.

The UN chief said he had "constructive talks" in Indonesia last week with President Soeharto and Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, adding that the UN hoped to convene further talks between Indonesia and Portugal in Geneva in July.

He also aimed to organize an "informal symposium" of East Timorese representatives, involving supporters and opponents of the territory's independence.

"Maybe they (the East Timorese) will find certain measures among themselves to create a new climate of confidence which may help us find a solution to this problem," Boutros-Ghali said.

He was speaking shortly after arriving in Melbourne from Sydney during a three-day visit to Australia.

The UN head was scheduled to receive an honorary degree from Melbourne University, where he was also due to open a conference on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the UN.