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The jailed resistance leader of East Timor, Xanana Gusmao met with Amien Rais, a noted reform movement leader who now chairs the National Mandate Party (PAN). The meeting took place at the Cipinang Prison. The two leaders met on Friday, 20 November 1998 at the initiative of Solidamor, the Indonesian Solidarity for Peace in East Timor.

During the 15 minutes meeting, Xanana Gusmao stated that withdrawal of the Indonesian troops from East Timor soil is a necessary precondition toward a just, comprehensive and peaceful settlement of the question of East Timor. Further, he stated that the majority of the Timorese favor referendum as a fair and democratic mechanism to determine to future political status of the dispute territory.

Amien Rais said his intention in meeting Xanana, a part from humanitarian reason, is to share views and ideas to find the best solution of East Timor. According to Rais, East Timor is not a question of separatism since the territory is not a part of the former Dutch colonial territory claimed by the founding fathers of Indonesia.(hell)

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