DATE=2/29/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=WAHID / EAST TIMOR (L-UPDATE)
NUMBER=2-259657
BYLINE=PATRICIA NUNAN
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid has
apologized to the people of East Timor for the often-
harsh rule imposed by Indonesian troops who occupied
the territory for nearly a quarter-century. Patricia
Nunan reports from Jakarta, President Wahid issued the
apology Tuesday as he made the first visit to East
Timor by an Indonesian head of state since the
territory became independent in October.
TEXT: Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid made his
apology after laying wreaths at the Santa Cruz
cemetery in the East Timorese capital, Dili. Mr.
Wahid said he was sorry "for things that have happened
in the past." He added that both East Timorese dead
and Indonesian soldiers killed in the 24-year civil
war were "victims of circumstance" that neither side
wanted.
Santa Cruz cemetery is the site of a 1991 massacre of
at least 200 civilians by Indonesian troops. Across
the street is a cemetery for Indonesian soldiers.
President Wahid's visit to East Timor is the first by
an Indonesian president since the territory won its
independence in October.
Not everyone was pleased to see him. United Nations
peacekeepers fired at least two shots in the air as
roughly 300 protesters surged towards the presidential
motorcade. The demonstrators were holding photos of
East Timor resistance fighters taken prisoner by
Indonesian forces -- and they demanded to know what
happened to them.
Security was also tight around the governor's office,
where President Wahid met with East Timorese leaders.
While some four-thousand protesters gathered outside,
a helicopter circled overhead and sharpshooters took
positions on the roof.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab, a member of
Mr. Wahid's delegation, signed an agreement with the
head of the United Nations in East Timor calling for
the eventual establishment of full diplomatic
relations between the two countries.
Many East Timorese are resentful of authorities from
Jakarta because of the military occupation of East
Timor, which began after Indonesia invaded East Timor
in 1975.
More recently, the Indonesian military is accused of
supporting armed militia groups when they seized
control of East Timor last September. The militias
killed hundreds of people and burned down most of the
territory's towns and villages after the announcement
that East Timorese had voted for the territory to
break free of Indonesia.
At least 100-thousand others remain refugees in camps
in neighboring West Timor.
/// REST OPT ///
Before leaving for East Timor, President Wahid said
Indonesia would make every effort to help rebuild the
territory. His trip comes as the Indonesian
government prepares to charge at least six top
generals for their alleged involvement in September's
bloodshed. (Signed)
NEB/MPN/WTW
29-Feb-2000 07:14 AM EDT (29-Feb-2000 1214 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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