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DATE=1/27/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-244773
TITLE=U-N / EAST TIMOR (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN HAS WELCOMED INDONESIA'S
ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT IT MAY CONSIDER INDEPENDENCE 
FOR THE PROVINCE OF EAST TIMOR.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON 
REPORTS FROM OUR UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.
TEXT:  INDONESIA'S ANNOUNCEMENT CAME ONE DAY BEFORE THE 
RESUMPTION OF U-N SPONSORED TALKS IN NEW YORK ON THE FORMER 
PORTUGUESE COLONY OF EAST TIMOR.  THE TALKS BRING TOGETHER 
OFFICIALS FROM INDONESIA AND PORTUGAL WITH A SENIOR U-N ENVOY.  
U-N SPOKESMAN FRED ECKHARD SAYS THOSE TALKS WILL PROCEED AS 
PLANNED.
                       /// ECKHARD ACT ///
         IN THE MEANTIME, THE TRIPARTITE TALKS, WHICH RESUME ON 
         28 JANUARY 1999, WILL CONTINUE TO DISCUSS THE UNITED 
         NATIONS AUTONOMY PROPOSAL.  THESE DISCUSSIONS WILL 
         DOUBTLESS TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.
                         /// END ACT ///
ON WEDNESDAY, INDONESIA ANNOUNCED IT WOULD MOVE JAILED EAST TIMOR
OPPOSITION LEADER XANANA GUSMAO FROM JAIL INTO A TYPE OF HOUSE 
ARREST.  IT SAID THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY MAY CONSIDER 
INDEPENDENCE FOR THE TERRITORY.
MR. ECKHARD SAYS THE UNITED NATIONS IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF 
GETTING MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INDONESIA'S NEW POLICIES ON EAST 
TIMOR.  HE SAYS U-N SECRETARY-GENERAL KOFI ANNAN WELCOMES REPORTS
OF THE NEW POLICIES AND URGES ALL PARTIES TO SHOW MAXIMUM 
RESTRAINT IN DEALING WITH, WHAT HE CALLS, THIS IMPORTANT PERIOD 
OF TRANSITION.
THE U-N SPONSORED TALKS BEGAN LAST AUGUST.  THEY HAVE BEEN AIMED 
AT BRINGING ABOUT AN AGREEMENT THAT WOULD GIVE EAST TIMOR'S 800 
THOUSAND RESIDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DECIDE WHETHER TO DECLARE 
INDEPENDENCE OR BECOME A PART OF INDONESIA.  IN THE PAST, 
INDONESIA HAS AGREED TO PROVIDE SOME DEGREE OF AUTONOMY BUT HAS 
REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE OF SOVEREIGNTY.
THE FORMER PORTUGUESE COLONY OF EAST TIMOR WAS INVADED BY 
INDONESIA IN 1975 AND ANNEXED THE FOLLOWING YEAR.  SINCE THEN, 
THERE HAVE BEEN REGULAR CLASHES BETWEEN SEPARATIST GROUPS AND THE
INDONESIAN MILITARY.  (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/PT
27-Jan-99 3:38 PM EST (2038 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.