DATE=12/15/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=EAST TIMOR TALKS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257170
BYLINE=KARRIN AMODEO
DATELINE=TOKYO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Former rival East Timorese groups met in
Tokyo on Wednesday to discuss the reconstruction
of the former Indonesian territory. Karrin Amodeo
reports from the Japanese capital, the meeting
comes just ahead of Friday's international
conference of aid donors to East Timor.
TEXT: Wednesday's meeting was an opportunity for
leaders of East Timorese groups and development
experts to discuss World Bank proposals to
rebuild the ravaged territory.
While it was not a negotiating session between
pro-independence and pro-Indonesia East Timorese
groups, Florentino Sarmento, who heads the
National Commission for Human Rights in East
Timor, says Wednesday's discussions between the
rival factions are the sort that are urgently
needed.
///ACT SARMENTO ///
It is the compromise, it is the commitment,
instead of blaming each other, it is necessary
and it is imperative that East Timorese sit
together and construct dialogues.
/// END ACTUALITY ///
Swedish academic Kjell Ake Nordquist, from the
department of peace and conflict research at
Uppsala University, chaired the gathering. He
says international aid to the devastated
territory cannot be effective, without
reconciliation.
/// NORDQUIST ACT ///
This is the most pressing issue because the
international community is constantly asking what
the East Timorese want, what they need, and
there has to be a competent answer on that issue
form the East Timorese themselves.
///END ACT ///
Humanitarian issues headed the agenda. Providing
basic human needs such as food, medicine and
shelter are still major concerns. Developing a
system of government and rebuilding the economy
were also urgent issues.
Observers in Tokyo expressed hope that
Wednesday's meeting was a sign that the many
factions in East Timor will begin to dissolve and
new groups, with the common goal of rebuilding
the territory, will emerge.
The World Bank estimates the cost of
reconstruction in East Timor will be between 260
and 300 million dollars, over the next three
years. Donor countries including Japan,
Australia, and the United States will meet here
on Friday, under World Bank auspices, to pledge
contributions to meet those needs. (SIGNED)
NEB/KA/FC
15-Dec-1999 06:34 AM EDT (15-Dec-1999 1134 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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