Xanana asks commission to be cautious

Xanana asks commission to be cautious

Wahyoe Boediwardhana, The Jakarta Post/Malang, East Java

Since its inception two months ago, the Commission of Truth and
Friendship has reported no progress in its mission to identify
those responsible for past human rights violations in what was
then East Timor.

However, Timor Leste President Xanana Gusmao has called on
people -- both in his country and Indonesia -- to exercise
patience in response to the commission's reticent beginnings.

Arriving in the hilly town of Malang for a holiday on Friday,
Xanana said the commission had to tread carefully in order to
reveal the dark side of the history of the two nations.

"I say don't be in a hurry. They have one year to finish their
jobs, with another one year's extension if necessary," Xanana
said. "If people of the two countries want a good result, just
let the commission work with caution, otherwise it will be unable
to find the truth."

The 10-strong commission, which comprises an equal number of
people from both countries, is charged with investigating human
rights abuses committed during the rampage by pro-Indonesia
militiamen in the aftermath of Timor Leste's (then named East
Timor) independence referendum in 1999.

Instead of seeking prosecution or punishment, the commission
will pursue the confessions of those involved in the mayhem.

Xanana expressed confidence the commission was doing
everything right and working in accordance with its designated
schedule.

Xanana arrived in Malang after a stopover in Denpasar, where
he attended the commemoration of the 2002 Bali bombings, in which
202 people were killed.

On Saturday, Xanana is scheduled to visit Mount Bromo in
Malang's neighboring town of Pasuruan.

Xanana is traveling with his wife Kirsty Sword Gusmao and
their two children.