Subject: DARE II : Press Release
Date: Fri, 02 Jul 1999 09:21:19 +0000
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>From: "Solidamor"
<Solidmor@centrin.net.id>
SORO MUTU BA DAME NEON IDA DEIT BERSATU MENUJU PERDAMAIAN UNIDOS PARA CONSTRUIR A PAZ
UNITED FOR PEACE
Jl. Travessa de Lecidere, Dili, Timor Timur, Phone/Fax: 62-390 324747, Email:
cipax@dili.wasantara.net.id
Press Release June 30, 1999
Dare II Talks End on a Subdued Note
The Dare II peace and reconciliation conference has taken a significant step towards
healing the wounds in East Timor society. But the talks also revealed that, despite a good
atmosphere around the negotiating table, deep divisions remain. On the last day of talks
delegates from pro-integration and pro-independence groups refined a statement of the
basic ideas they can agree on but could find little common ground on a joint committee for
the implementation of these ideas. Although both sides agreed on the crucial necessity for
further dialogue, they were unable to produce a procedure to carry the Dare II talks
forward.
The most significant achievement of the conference has been an in- principle agreement
to respect the June 18 agreement on disarmament of militias and Falintil, and to respect
the outcome of the UN administered popular consultation scheduled for next month. Given
the attendance at the conference of an unprecedented array of top political and military
leaders from both sides, this is a considerable achievement. The discussions that produced
it were conducted in a good atmosphere, holding out the promise that in future talks. East
Timorese leaders may be able to hammer out agreement on institutions within which the
principles agree on in the conference can be turned into reality.
Towards the conclusion of the morning session, Bishop Basilio do Nascimento of Baucau
expressed a "hunger" for real substance. This appeal produced a suggstion that a
joint commission be formed to secure the interests of both sides before and after the
popular consultation. After some discussion delegates decided that the idea needed further
consideration and should be released from to this, Mr Gusmao exressed his confidence in
the popular consultation and that the development of democracy in Indonesia would
ultimately lead to his release.
Pro-integration delegates continued to press the argument, that for them, wide-ranging
autonomy within the Republic of Indonesia is already a concession, and detention to
participate in campaigning for the popular consulation failed to get approval. In response
that this concession should be matched by flexibility on the part of pro-independence
leaders. They also pressed for more assurance of neutrality on the part of UNAMET.
Earlier a group of young men and women staged a rowdy demonstration outside the
confrence venue, demanding that CNRT defence spokesman Jose Ramos Horta leave the country.
The leader of the demonstration put the demand to Mr Gusmao and Mr Ramos Horta in brief
meeting in the lobby of the hotel in the presence of Bishop Belo.
The conference, which began June 25 th, closed this evening in a subdued atmosphere
with the signing of a declaration on common principles followed by the conference dinner.
Father Domingos Sequeira Spokesperson, Dare II Steering Committee
Back to July Menu
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu
June '98 through February '99 |
