---------------------------------------------------------- Visit Indonesia Daily News Online HomePage: http://www.indo-news.com/ Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ++ Pemilu Online: http://www.indo-news.com/pemilu/ ++ ---------------------------------------------------------- ANTARA, JULY 6 1999 East Timor issue : RI'S POLITICAL WILL TO SOLVE IT IS CLEAR- OBSERVER Lisbon, July 6 (ANTARA) - Indonesia's political will to settle the long-standing East Timor issue is clearly shown, especially in the dialog between the government and the military on the one hand, and pro-independence leaders on the other, an observer has said. "Last year, it was difficult for us to imagine that efforts to settle the problem of East Timor would run so fast. The strong political will of Indonesian government is a key factor," president of the East Timor Peace and Law Foundation, Prof. Barbados Magalhaes, said here last Monday. A series of meeting between government officials and pro-independence leaders has recently opened new opportunities for East Timor. "It is now clear that Indonesia could put the issue apart from other complex problems," he added. Such pro-independence leader as Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao, Jose Ramos Horta, Joao Carrascalao and Mari Alkatiri recently met separately with chief of the Indonesian Armed Forces, Gen. Wiranto, and Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Alatas. Magalhaes said it is difficult to gather East Timorese leaders and representatives of the Portuguese and Indonesian government for a meeting due to psychological barriers. However, recent talks held by East Timor's warring parties could speed up the resolution of the East Timor problem, he noted. In addition, he said, Gusmao's release will have a positive impact on the UN-administered popular consultation. "The release of Xanana Gusmao before the ballot will be a positive factor," Malgahaes said. (U.LPT-1/NN-09/int-cl/15:11/ri3/16:21/TB06) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 10 Jul 1999 jam 08:05:29 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
