Xanana moved from jail to house arrest

JAKARTA (JP): East Timor rebel leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao was moved on Wednesday from the Cipinang Prison to a special detention house in Central Jakarta amid renewed efforts to seek a peaceful solution for the troubled province.

The 53-year-old Xanana left the prison in East Jakarta to the cheers of a number of East Timorese supporters carrying posters reading "Free Xanana Gusmao" and "Viva Xanana".

"I will hold meetings with all components of the East Timorese people in this house," Xanana told reporters at the special detention house on Jl. Percetakan Negara VII/47.

"I will help unite East Timorese people in one ambition toward a peaceful and comprehensive solution," Xanana said.

Xanana's transfer from Cipinang prison to the special detention house was well anticipated by the press, with dozens of them trailing the minivan carrying Xanana to his new residence.

Minister of Justice Muladi and another crowd of journalists were also seen waiting at the house, a 15-minute drive to the north of Cipinang prison.

"Xanana is being moved here to participate in the efforts to find a peaceful solution to (the problem of) East Timor," Muladi, who headed off to report the transfer in a cabinet meeting at noon, told journalists at the house.

Muladi, who gave a necktie to Xanana as a present, said the house is equipped with a telephone and a fax machine capable of receiving calls only. He said Xanana would also be allowed to meet guests and his relatives.

Muladi however said relatives cannot stay the night.

"Foreign guests need to get permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while locals need to secure a permit from the Ministry of Justice," Muladi said, adding the press would also need permission from his ministry before meeting Xanana.

Xanana's lawyer, Hendardi, of the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) said Xanana would be able to decide who he wished to see.

"I think meetings with people who have nothing to do with the East Timor problem will be restricted," Hendardi said.

Muladi said the house will be guarded around the clock by a number of wardens and police officers. He added that another East Timorese, who was on probation, was also transferred to the house to assist Xanana.

Xanana was captured by the Armed Forces (ABRI) in 1992 while leading the East Timorese resistance. East Timor was integrated into the country as the 27th province in 1976 but its sovereignty has never been recognized by the United Nations.

He was sentenced the following year to life imprisonment for trying to topple the government, and illegal possession of weapons, but this was later commuted to 20 years.

Officials here have insisted that the new home is just an extension of Cipinang prison.

Xanana has said he was certain he could contribute to a peaceful settlement in East Timor if he was provided with better conditions than at Cipinang jail.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had called for the government to release Xanana or place him under house arrest so he could play a greater role in the peace process. The move came amid intensified efforts for a settlement of East Timor issue.

The government announced last week it was considering the possibility of the province's independence if its offer for broad autonomy was rejected.

The announcement has heightened tension in East Timor with pro-independence and pro-integration groups consolidating their forces.

Xanana's move from Cipinang followed two days of talks between Indonesia and Portugal at the United Nations in New York. The discussions have focussed on proposals of autonomy for the province.

The two countries differed over how to consult the East Timorese on whether they want autonomy or full independence, with Indonesia opposing any referendum.

But Muladi added that the government may now let exiled East Timorese pro-independence activist Jose Ramos Horta come to Jakarta to help reach a settlement.

"We are not inviting him but the possibility is not foreclosed," Muladi said.

Horta, who won the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize with the Bishop of East Timor Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo, is on an immigration blacklist.

However, Muladi said Horta's name could "easily" be taken off if his presence was needed. (byg/prb)