Xanana meets his captor in Jakarta prison

JAKARTA (JP): Jailed East Timor separatist leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao met yesterday with Maj. Gen. (ret.) Theo Syafei, the man who led the East Timor special military command when he was arrested in his Dili hideout in 1992.

No hard feelings were evident as the two men discussed the future of East Timor in the presence of reporters at the Cipinang penitentiary.

Xanana returned to his cell immediately after the meeting, refusing to answer questions from reporters.

Theo, who explained the meeting came at the request of Xanana, said they shared a mutual concern for the well-being of the East Timorese despite their differences.

The veteran of the Indonesian military campaign in East Timor which began in 1976 no longer holds public office.

He fell out of favor with the military and the government of then president Soeharto last year when he departed from the official line on various political issues when representing the military in the House of Representatives.

Theo said he agreed to meet with Xanana because of a long acquaintance dating back before the 1992 arrest.

The rebel leader is serving 17 years for leading an armed rebellion against the government. He is not eligible for the amnesty which President B.J. Habibie has granted many political prisoners because he was convicted of a criminal offense.

Xanana's lawyer Hendardi from the Association of Legal Aid and Human Rights (PBHI) said his client considered Theo to be someone who was knowledgeable about the needs of East Timor and could exert influence on the government.

"Theo knows the problems in East Timor very well as he used to be a commander in the area," Hendardi said.

He described the one-hour meeting as a warm dialog between two old friends. "Both men were once Panglima (commander) in East Timor."

Theo said Xanana wanted to consult and share his ideas on East Timor, particularly about a referendum to determine whether the territory should become an independent state or remain part of Indonesia.

Xanana believed the East Timor problem could not be solved without a referendum, Theo added. "Xanana knows very well that the country is currently in a difficult situation so he is not demanding an immediate referendum."

Xanana was also convinced the majority of East Timorese would vote for an independent state in a referendum.

Theo said Xanana believed the military could help improve the political climate in East Timor by enhancing their accommodation of the people's aspirations, including those seeking independence.

Although he declined to discuss the military operations in East Timor during his term as commander, Theo said the East Timor problem could only be resolved with the participation of the local people. (emf)