DATE=9/1/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDONESIA - EAST TIMOR (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253319
BYLINE=BRONWYN CURRAN
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Indonesian opposition leader and presidential
front-runner Megawati Sukarnotputri, has appealed for
calm in East Timor. And as we hear from Bronwyn Curran
in Jakarta, government officials are playing down the
lawlessness that has plagued the territory since
Monday's ballot.
TEXT: Megawati Sukarnoputri called for an end to the
violence that broke out after Monday's referendum in
East Timor. Speaking to reporters outside her Jakarta
home, she also appealed to
all sides in the troubled territory to respect the
result of the ballot, saying all East Timorese have a
right to choose their future.
Ms. Megawati, is the first of Indonesia's presidential
challengers to comment on East Timor's independence
referendum. Before the vote, Ms. Megawati had urged
the East Timorese to choose to remain within
Indonesia, under a special autonomy arrangement,
rather than independence. But in a nationally-
broadcast speech last month, and again Wednesday, she
vowed to honor the outcome of the vote.
Ms. Megawati's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
won the largest number of
votes in Indonesia's June parliamentary elections. She
is now the leading contender in the presidential
campaign, which will be held by the People's
Consultative Assembly in November.
That same Assembly would also have to approve the
relinquishing of East Timor by Indonesia, if - as
predicted - the majority of Timorese voted against
autonomy.
Incumbent President B-J Habibie and other officials
from the ruling party, Golkar, have
also expressed their hope for a vote for autonomy. But
they too have promised to uphold the choice of the
East Timorese people.
Detained East Timor Independence leader Xanana Gusmao
said Wednesday he is attempting to bring rival sides
in the territory together in a reconciliation meeting.
The former guerilla leader, who is under house arrest
in Jakarta, has proposed a meeting between pro-
autonomy and pro-independence factions as soon as the
referendum results are announced.
Meanwhile the spokesman for the government's task
force on East Timor, Dino Djalal, says the situation
across East Timor is generally calm. He insists
Indonesian security forces are maintaining order.
Asked about pro-Indonesia militia blockades Tuesday at
East Timor's airport and seaport, Mr. Djalal replied
that the government has a policy of freedom of
movement in the territory. (Signed)
NEB/BC/FC
01-Sep-1999 05:36 AM EDT (01-Sep-1999 0936 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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