Subject: AFP: Indon minister believes jailed E Timor
leader should be freed
Date: Sat, 08 May 1999 09:20:09 -0400
From: "John M. Miller" <fbp@igc.apc.org>Received from Joyo Indonesian
News:
Indonesian minister believes jailed East Timor leader should be freed
JAKARTA, May 3 (AFP) - Indonesian Justice Minister Muladi (one name) said Monday he
believed jailed East Timorese leader Xanana Gusmao should be released so he can make a
greater contribution to peace efforts in the troubled territory.
"I have not received any instruction ... but I myself, agree (that Gusmao be
freed) so that Xanana can be even more active," Muladi told journalists before
attending a cabinet meeting on politics and security at the Bina Graha presidential
office.
"The remaining problem is whether he can assure his own security outside (the
jail) or not," Muladi added.
He said that the release of Gusmao, currently serving a 20-year prison term for
plotting against the state and possession of illegal weapons, could be done either under
an amnesty or a presidential pardon.
"But I think an amnesty would be better," he added.
He also said that the question was not scheduled to be discussed in the cabinet meeting
he was going to attend.
Gusmao was moved to house detention in Central Jakarta from the city's Cipinang jail in
February following a demand by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Back to May Menu
Human Rights Violations in East Timor
Main Postings Menu
June '98 through February '99 |
