By Irwan Firdaus
January 31, 1999
EAST Timor's jailed rebel chief yesterday welcomed an offer by Indonesia to grant independence to the territory, but he warned that a solution to the long-running conflict in his homeland was still far off.
Indonesian officials this week made a surprise reversal in their 20-year stance and offered to relinquish control of the former Portuguese colony if its people reject an offer of autonomy. "Better late than never," said rebel leader Xanana Gusmao of the offer. Indonesia occupied the territory in 1975 and annexed it a year later.
Speaking to reporters at the Jakarta prison where he is being held, Gusmao said, "We're glad with this decision and we feel that truth and justice will come. However, it still needs time and effort from every party for the final solution in East Timor," he said. He said other measures must be taken to ensure peace, including the disarming of East Timorese civilians backed by the Indonesian military.
A revered figure in East Timor, Gusmao was arrested in 1992 and is serving a 20-year sentence for leading a guerilla war against Indonesian troops. Indonesia says it will move him to a special prison compound with more comfortable conditions. Gusmao said he favoured a move because it would make it easier to assist in negotiations over the conflict.
Indonesia strongly opposes a vote on independence in East Timor, saying it could lead to civil war there. Jakarta has not said how it will determine what kind of political future the 800,000 East Timorese want.
Gusmao's statements came as Portugal's ambassador to the United Nations, Fernando Neves, insisted the East Timorese should be allowed to vote over their future. Neves said Portugal was concerned that violence could derail negotiations, stressing that intensive efforts were needed to ensure stability in the territory.
Neves, Indonesian representative Nugroho Wisnumurti, and UN envoy Jamsheed Marker held a second day of negotiations over East Timor, focussing on a UN proposal for autonomy in the territory.
