Subject: EU presidency statement on ET
Date: Sat, 06 Mar 1999 08:43:34 -0500
From: Bruno Kahn <kahn@math.jussieu.fr>Date: Wed, 03 Mar 1999 01:35:56 +0100
From: Watch Indonesia! <watchin@berlin.snafu.de> Reply-To: nakal@watchin.snafu.de
To: nakal@watchin.snafu.de Subject: Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the
European Union on East Timor
19/02/99
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on East Timor
The European Union welcomes the positive results of the recent ministerial meeting
under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General, where the Indonesian Foreign Minister
Alatas officially announced Indonesia's new policy towards East Timor.
The European Union takes note of Indonesia's position that a wide ranging autonomy
within the constitutional framework of the Republic of Indonesia is the best option for
the time being and to submit this proposal to a consultation by the East Timorese. Should
the proposal be rejected by the East Timorese, the Indonesian Government will recommend
that the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), to be elected in June, revokes the
Annexation Act of 1978 and accepts the independence of East Timor.
The European Union welcomes that this new Indonesian policy recognises that no lasting
solution to this problem can be found without the consultation of the people of East Timor
and that the parties concerned agreed to examine UN proposals for an agreement on a
procedure to accommodate the Indonesian proposals with the exercise of self-determination.
The European Union is indeed of the opinion that the method of consultation of the East
Timorese will be a key issue in this context.
Considering these developments which have established a renewed impetus to the UN
sponsored talks, the European Union emphasizes the necessity of international support for
the UN Secretary-General's efforts.
The European Union also welcomes the transfer of Mr. Xanana Gusmao from prison into
house arrest. In this context the European Union urges the Indonesian authorities to free
completely Mr. Xanana Gusmao and other Timorese political prisoners in order to create the
best possible conditions to resolve the East Timorese issue.
In the light of these recent positive developments the European Union:
- encourages the ongoing efforts of the UN Secretary-General to find a solution to the
problem of East Timor; - stresses the need for a fair, free and comprehensive consultation
by the UN of the East Timorese; - expresses its willingness to support the organisation of
such a consultation.
At the same time, the European Union encourages Indonesia to further reduce the level
of military presence in East Timor and expresses concern about the arming of civil
militias, which may jeopardise the opportunity for finding a peaceful solution.
The European Union remains greatly concerned at the increased tension and violence in
East Timor. The European Union calls on all sides to show restraint. It also calls for the
disarmament and disbandment of militias. Furthermore, the European Union supports the
urgent establishment of a UN presence in East Timor which would contribute to decrease the
currently high level of tension.
The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European Union, the
associated country Cyprus and the EFTA countries, members of the European Economic Area
align themselves with this declaration.
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