UN envoy due here to brief on Timor

JAKARTA (JP): United Nations special envoy for East Timor Jamsheed Marker will arrive here on July 14 to brief officials on his meeting with the Portuguese government, who reportedly gave a "positive" response to Indonesia's proposal on special autonomy status for East Timor

Indonesia's foreign minister Ali Alatas told journalists that Marker had returned from Portugal and his preliminary discussions with Indonesia's ambassador to the UN had indicated a positive response from Lisbon.

"He indicated that the response from Portugal was generally positive, not negative, and that they were prepared to discuss this issue further and to continue with the tripartite talks," Alatas said.

Alatas recently presented fresh proposals to the UN after President B.J. Habibie said he was willing to consider a "special status" for East Timor.

Alatas also deplored the leakage of a confidential UN document on East Timor.

"I deeply regret what has happened and will surely trace whoever is responsible for this leakage," he told journalists during a hurriedly arranged media briefing.

The confidential letter was originally sent by Jamsheed Marker to Nugroho Wisnumurti, the foreign ministry's director general for political affairs.

According to Alatas the document contained ideas to be put forward at a brain-storming session of senior Indonesian and Portuguese officials under UN auspices.

The former Portuguese colony of East Timor was integrated as part of Indonesia in 1976. However the United Nations has not recognized this and continues to sponsor talks between Indonesia and Portugal to find an internationally acceptable solution to the issue.

Alatas also said yesterday that the issue of East Timor would be discussed with Australia's foreign minister Alexander Downer who is scheduled to arrive here Wednesday for a three-day visit.

"I will only use the occasion to explain what we intend to do with our proposal," he said. (emf)