Thu, 16 Sep 1999

Xanana renews vow to promote reconciliation in East Timor

JAKARTA (JP): East Timorese proindependence leader Jose Alenxandre "Xanana" Gusmao renewed on Wednesday his pledge for reconciliation despite the weeks of violence which have torn his homeland apart.

Speaking via a television linkup from the British Embassy where he has stayed since his release last week from a special detention house in Salemba, Central Jakarta, Xanana called on all parties to work for a peaceful transition in East Timor before it became independent.

"Speaking of the post-consultation (period), I think it's time for all East Timorese leaders to think with clear minds and to act with cool heads for the sake of our homeland's future," Xanana said, adding that he was ready to close the 23-year-old struggle against the Indonesian authorities.

Xanana was addressing a discussion on East Timor's future after the Aug. 30 consultation ballot, in which almost 80 percent of voters rejected a wide-ranging autonomy proposal within Indonesia.

The former spokesman for the government task force for the popular consultation, Dino Patti Djalal, and Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Maj. Gen. Sudrajat also participated in the discussion organized by the Center for Information and Development Studies (Cides).

Xanana said that he was ready to rebuild his homeland and maintain East Timor's zero debt to other countries, including Indonesia.

"Since the territory integrated into Indonesia, it might have received aid and subsidies from Indonesia, but when clashes broke up following the announcement of the ballot results, buildings and facilities were destroyed by the military and Mobile Brigade police," Xanana said.

"We owe nothing to Indonesia. After 23 years, all the buildings have been destroyed by TNI and the mobile police. If you check in Dili, you will find there are no buildings left standing."

Sudrajat dismissed Xanana's statement. "I don't know when Xanana has visited Dili."

Government buildings, telecommunications facilities, water systems and electricity installations remain, said Sudrajat, who recently returned from the territory.

After the ballot results were announced on Sept. 4, angry pro- Jakarta militias went on a rampage of killing and destruction.

Hundreds were reportedly killed and thousands more have fled the territory.

Helps

Dino said the two rival East Timorese camps and Indonesia must wait for the constitutional mandate to determine the fate of the East Timorese in the upcoming General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

"While waiting for the decision of MPR, the important step to take is reconciliation among East Timorese leaders," he said.

Leaders should discuss the form independence should take and the steps required to forge peace in the territory.

"Xanana as a respected leader should also be there (in East Timor) among his people, to sit together and discuss the future of their homeland," Dino said.

Sudrajat said the military was ready to back the East Timorese in efforts to create the peaceful atmosphere needed for the reconciliation.

"We will help the rival supporters build trust between them. Indonesia's interest is to see East Timor develop into a beautiful country," Sudrajat said to the applause of the audience, which was mostly composed of proautonomy supporters.

Among those present at the discussion were the secretary- general of the National Commission on Human Rights, Clementino dos Reis Amaral, Xanana's former lawyer Hendardi and political observer Indria Samego. (emf/33)