International Herald Tribune

September 11, 1997

Notables Seek Solution To East Timor Rebellion

Letter Asks Suharto's Aid in Ending-Conflict

By Michael Richardson

International Herald Tribune

SINGAPORE - In an effort to hasten an end to one of Asia's longest running rebellions, a group of Nobel laureates and other prominent figures recently signed a letter to President Suharto of Indonesia appealing for his "fullest support" for new moves to try to resolve the conflict in East Timor.

But speaking in Jakarta on Wednesday, Indonesia's foreign minister, Ali Alatas, appeared to rule out a key part of a proposed compromise - special autonomous status for East Timor.

He indicated, however, that greater autonomy within Indonesia could be considered in a comprehensive settlement, along with the release of a jailed rebel leader, Jose Xanana Gusmao. Analysts said that Mr. Alatas's comments suggested there was sufficient flexibility on the Indonesian side for negotiations to move forward.

The letter to Mr. Suharto, a copy of which was made available to the International Herald Tribune, is the latest step in what some observers say may be the most promising diplomatic initiative in more, than 20 years to settle the status of the former Portuguese colony invaded by Indonesia, in 1975 and annexed in 1976.

The letter is intended by its signatories to add weight to attempts by the UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan, supported by President Nelson Mandela of South Africa, to find a "just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution" to the problem.

Those signing the letter to Mr. Suharto - including former presidents of four nations, Richard von Weizsaecker of Germany, F.W. De Klerk of South Africa, Oscar Arias Sanchez of Costa Rica, and Patricio Aylwin Azbcar of Chile - said that international criticism of Indonesia over East Timor "has had a negative impact on its ability to play a more visible and active role" in world affairs.

"We understand how painful it must be for a proud country to experience so much criticism," the letter to Mr. Suharto said. "Therefore, your central contribution to the well overdue ending of the East Timor problem would be hailed as an important historical bequest to the humanity."

The former Australian foreign minister, Gareth Evans, who signed the letter, said in an interview from London that it was a "well intentioned effort to encourage President Suharto to rethink his position on East Timor, which is obviously still causing Indonesia a great deal of pain in its international relations."

Diplomats said Wednesday that Mr. Mandela's active involvement since July in trying to help mediate a settlement between Indonesia, Portugal and East Timorese factions was apparently taking place with Mr. Suharto's blessing.

They said that the outlines of a possible solution emerged last month when Portuguese television carried an interview with Konis Santana, the leader of guerrillas in East Timor. Mr. Santana indicated that instead of continuing to demand independence, his group might accept autonomy, in the way Puerto Rico is linked to the United States.

But Mr. Alatas said Wednesday that granting special autonomous region status to East Timor was not possible, Reuters reported from Jakarta. Because the government already is moving

toward ending autonomous status for Aceh and Yogyakarta, he said, "the government believes it will be inappropriate and counterproductive to give special autonomous region status to East Timor."

He added, however, "We are willing to give them autonomous rights without crossing the line into a special autonomous region."

Analysts said that Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous nation, is concerned that if it grants a Puerto Rico - like status to East Timor, other parts of the sprawling archipelago would demand similar treatment.

Although Portugal abandoned East Timor after Indonesian forces invaded in 1975 to crush a unilateral declaration of independence by Fretilin, the Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor, Lisbon still regards the area as part of its sovereign territory, and the United Nations recognizes Portugal as the administering power in East Timor.

Indonesian officials said that Mr. Suharto, who is scheduled to visit South Africa in November for talks with Mr. Mandela, was reluctant to consider an early release for Mr. Gusmao, at least until there is further progress toward a settlement. Mr. Gusmao is serving a 20year sentence, reduced from life.

Analysts said that the major blockage in the UN talks has been the insistence of Portugal and the East Timorese resistance that an act of self-determination under UN supervision must be held in the territory, with independence the most likely outcome.

Jakarta insists that East Timorese opted for integration with Indonesia in an act of self-determination in 1976 and that its incorporation as Indonesia's 27th province is not negotiable.

Mr. Santana, the East Timorese guerrilla leader, appeared to offer a way around this deadlock.

"We take the view that any solution which gives the people of East Timor the right to exercise self-determination is acceptable," he said. Puerto Rico forms a viable working model."

The Caribbean Island has commonwealth status which allows it almost complete self-government. Only foreign relations and defense remain under US federal government control.