DATE=2/3/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-245029
TITLE=INDONEISA / EAST TIMOR (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JENNY GRANT
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: EAST TIMORESE WHO SUPPORT INTEGRATION WITH INDONESIA
BEGAN MOVES IN JAKARTA WEDNESDAY TO SALVAGE AN AUTONOMY DEAL.
FROM THE INDONESIAN CAPITAL, JENNY GRANT REPORTS THE GROUP MET
WITH INDONESIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER AS HE PREPARES TO ATTEND A U-N
MEETING IN NEW YORK TO TALK ABOUT THE FATE OF THE TROUBLED
REGION.
TEXT: ABILIO ARAUJO -- THE FORMER EAST TIMORESE RESISTANCE LEADER
WHO CHANGED CAMPS TO SUPPORT JAKARTA -- HELD A ONE-HOUR MEETING
WITH FOREIGN MINISTER ALI ALATAS TO THROW HIS SUPPORT BEHIND THE
SPECIAL AUTONOMY OPTION. HE SAYS AN AUTONOMY PACKAGE NEGOTIATED
BETWEEN INDONESIA AND PORTUGAL IS THE ONLY SOLUTION TO THE
PROBLEM.
EAST TIMOR WOULD HAVE CONTROL OF SOME OF ITS AFFAIRS, IF GRANTED
AUTONOMY, HOWEVER, IT WOULD REMAIN UNDER THE SOVEREIGNTY OF
INDONESIA. JAKARTA HAS OFFERED IMMEDIATE INDEPENDENCE TO EAST
TIMORESE, IF THEY REJECT AUTONOMY.
MR. ARAUJO WARNED AGAINST POLARIZING THE DEBATE, WHICH HE SAYS
WILL ONLY CAUSE VIOLENCE. HE SAYS ONLY DIALOGUE WILL SOLVE THE
DEEP TENSIONS THAT EXIST AMONG THE EAST TIMORESE OVER THEIR
STATUS.
// ARAUJO ACTUALITY//
IT DEPENDS ON EAST TIMORESE TO START TO THINK SERIOUSLY ABOUT
THE FUTURE. AND IT IS NOT THE TIME FOR US TO RADICALIZE THE
POSITION. IT IS NOT THE TIME TO USE PHYSICAL CONFRONTATION,
BECAUSE IT WILL SHOW THAT WE ARE NOT A MATURE SOCIETY.
// END ACTUALITY //
A SEPARATE LOBBY GROUP TOLD THE PARLIAMENT WEDNESDAY FIVE EAST
TIMOR REGENCIES REJECT JAKARTA'S OFFER OF INDEPENDENCE.
THE HEAD OF THE GROUP -- OCTAVIO SOARES -- SAYS THE REGENCIES OF
DILI, LOS PALOS, AMBENO, MALIANA AND SUAI DO NOT WANT TO BE SET
ADRIFT FROM INDONESIA AND THE SECURITY AND FINANCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE THAT COMES WITH IT.
HE SAYS THOSE REGENCIES WANT SPECIAL AUTONOMY AND THE CHANCE TO
CHOOSE, LATER.
DIPLOMATIC SOURCES SAY THE PRO-JAKARTA CAMP -- WHICH INCLUDES
SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE AND SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS -- IS DESPERATE
TO SAVE THE SPECIAL AUTONOMY DEAL BEING NEGOTIATED IN NEW YORK.
THEY SAY THEIR PERSONAL SECURITY, INCOMES AND CHILDREN'S FUTURES
HANG IN THE BALANCE.
U-N SECRETARY GENERAL KOFFI ANNAN HAS INVITED THE PORTUGUESE AND
INDONESIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS TO NEW YORK TO JOIN IN TALKS ON THE
SPECIAL STATUS OFFER, SUNDAY AND MONDAY.
THE UNITED NATIONS IS ALSO CONTINUING A PROBE INTO HUMAN RIGHTS
VIOLATIONS IN THE REGION.
JAILED RESISTANCE LEADER XANANA GUSMAO MET WITH REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE U-N COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN JAKARTA'S CIPINANG JAIL,
WEDNESDAY. MR. GUSMAO -- WHO IS SERVING A 20-YEAR JAIL TERM --
TO BE TRANSFERRED TO HOUSE ARREST IN THE COMING WEEK. (SIGNED)
NEB / JG / GC / WD
03-Feb-99 6:58 AM EST (1158 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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