Warm welcome for world's newest nation
Warm welcome for world's newest nation
Agencies, Hong Kong, China
China claimed first place in the race to forge diplomatic ties with East Timor on Monday as the world's 192nd nation was given a warm welcome by its regional neighbors.
In the agreement establishing relations, East Timor promised not to have any official contacts with Taiwan, the island China claims as part of its territory, Xinhua said.
East Timor also accepted China's view that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory," Xinhua said in a report from Dili, the East Timorese capital.
China, meanwhile, said it "respects the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity" of East Timor. The two sides also pledged to expand trade and economic relations.
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said there was "great potential" for China and East Timor to work together in oil and gas exploration, agriculture, fisheries and telecommunications, Xinhua said.
Pope John Paul on Monday urged East Timor to create a free and peaceful society as the Vatican announced it had established diplomatic relations with the fledgling democracy.
The Pope said he sent his warmest wishes to President Xanana Gusmao, adding the country's future lay in the hands of those who would set up and protect society.
"At such an important moment in your history, as you prepare to become one of the earth's free nations, I am spiritually close to you, sharing in your joy and spurring you on to create a just, free, stable and peaceful society," he said in a message to the country's 740,000 citizens.
Japan, Australia, the Philippines and Singapore were all quick to congratulate East Timor on formally throwing off the shackles of 450 years of colonial rule in a ceremony attended by world leaders late on Sunday.
Australia named its first ambassador to East Timor and even the press in Indonesia -- whose 24-year occupation sparked a guerrilla war resulting in the deaths of at least 100,000 East Timorese -- had kind words for its former territory.
But as thousands of jubilant East Timorese thronged the streets of Dili, a key regional body looked set to inject a sobering note into the celebrations.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has reacted coolly to East Timor's application to join and is expected to move cautiously before enrolling its 11th member.
ASEAN has been criticized for moving too quickly to embrace Myanmar, which is accused of human rights abuses, and many within the organization claim it hamstrung by its consensus ethos.
East Timor's application will be discussed at the July ASEAN Regional Forum in Brunei, where it has been invited as a "guest", but Singapore Foreign Minister S. Jayakumar warned there would be no rushed decision.
An application to join the United Nations, ratified in East Timor's very first parliament session on Monday, received a slightly more positive reaction from visiting UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
"All nations are equals... the doors of the United Nations are open to rich or poor nations, small or big nations," Annan said after receiving the application.
The festival atmosphere also looked set to be tempered by a looming spat with Australia over oil field profits. A treaty was signed on Monday on Timor Sea oil and gas revenues, but Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said Dili would try to claim a larger share of the bounty.
Canberra confirmed James Batley would be its first ambassador to the new country and said it would continue to give military and economic support but showed no sign of backing down on the oil dispute.
Perhaps surprisingly, Indonesian media led the tributes on Monday and expressed hope for close relations.
The leading Kompas daily said a new page should be turned in relations between Jakarta and its former province, which broke away in 1999.
"For a new page in relations to be smooth and clean, we must remind everyone that there is a requirement, that is, a mutual understanding. Not only from Indonesia but also from East Timor," Kompas said.
Singapore said East Timor had faced "overwhelming odds" in its struggle for nationhood.
"The East Timorese people have exhibited a remarkable degree of resilience in their quest for nationhood," Singapore President S.R. Nathan said.
Japan also promised its support for the new country and set up diplomatic ties on Monday.
"Our country will continue working together with the international community to provide as much assistance as possible for East Timor's nation-building," Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said in a statement.