UN sets new round of E. Timor talks in NY
UN sets new round of E. Timor talks in NY
UNITED NATIONS (Agencies): UN Secretary-General Boutros
Boutros-Ghali announced on Tuesday that a new round of talks on
East Timor between the foreign ministers of Indonesia and
Portugal would be held in New York in December, AFP reported.
In a report to the General Assembly, Boutros-Ghali said the
ninth round of UN-mediated talks would take place on Dec. 21.
"In the meantime, my special adviser, Mr. Ismat Kittani, will
lead discussions in New York between the permanent
representatives to the United Nations of the two governments."
"As part of these efforts I have continued to consult with
East Timorese personalities of various political persuasions."
Boutros-Ghali said he was confident that the talks would "lead
to the achievement of a workable long-term solution" given both
countries' continued desire to find a negotiated settlement.
East Timor became part of Indonesia in 1976 after about 450
years under Portuguese colonial rule. The UN, however, still
recognizes Portugal as the legitimate administrator of the
territory.
The UN has been acting as mediator for Indonesia and Portugal
to discuss solution to the East Timor question.
In Geneva, Jose Ayala-Lasso, UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights, said on Tuesday he was negotiating with Indonesia and
Colombia to open monitoring offices there, Reuters reported.
The UN Commission on Human Rights, at its last annual session
in April, urged Ayala-Lasso to set up offices in Colombia and
Indonesia. They were among five states named by Amnesty
International for urgent scrutiny by the 53-member body.
"I have been asked to keep up my negotiating process with
Indonesia to have a presence there, a program in Jakarta," he
said. "We are still in conversation and contact on this matter
with the Indonesian government."
The Commission issued a statement expressing "deep concern"
over the situation in East Timor. It urged Ayala-Lasso to send an
officer to Jakarta who would have "regular access to East Timor".