---------------------------------------------------------- Visit Indonesia Daily News Online HomePage: http://www.indo-news.com/ Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Gusmao praises Habibie for changing policy on East Timor DARWIN, Australia, Oct 20 (AFP) - East Timorese leader Xanana Gusmao praised outgoing Indonesian President B.J. Habibie for his "courage and vision" in paving the way for independence for East Timor. Gusmao, who is planning to return within a day or two to East Timor for the first time in seven years, also praised the decision by the Indonesian legislature's decision to support independence for East Timor. "This decision will enable East Timor and Indonesia to develop friendly and mutually beneficial relations as neighbour countries, each facing major challenges on the eve of the new millennium," he said. The Indonesian national assembly early Wednesday formally accepted East Timor's vote for independence in the August 30 UN-organised ballot, clearing the way for the creation of the world's newest nation. It was Habibie who announced in January that the ballot on self-determination would be held and that if the East Timorese voted against autonomy under an Indonesian flag then he would let go of the territory invaded by Indonesia in 1975. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 20 Oct 1999 jam 09:19:12 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
