| Subject: AFP: US envoy
meets Gusmao, pledges support for East Timor Received from Joyo Indonesian News:
US envoy meets Gusmao, pledges support for East Timor
DILI, East Timor, Nov 3 (AFP) - US ambassador-designate to
Indonesia Robert Gelbard held talks on Wednesday with independence leader Xanana Gusmao
and promised support for the development of East Timor.
"We had a very good discussion about future
development and American support for the future of East Timor," Gelbard told AFP at
Dili's Comoro airport after flying back from the meeting in the town of Bacau.
Gelbard said he gave Gusmao several bags of coffee produced
by a cooperative financed by US AID during the hour-long talks and pledged support for
similar projects as well as job training.
"It was a very good meeting, it went on longer than
originally scheduled. We had a lot to talk about," said Gelbard.
He said the pair discussed the importance of East Timorese
taking an active role in the rebuilding process.
"We are working with local NGOs which we supported
even before and one of the issues we discussed with Gusmao is the need to bring local NGOs
into the process."
Gelbard said the United States would continue its military
commitment to the International force for East Timor (Interfet) and would take part in the
future UN Transitional Authority (UNTAET) force being assembled.
There are currently around 150 US troops on the ground in
East Timor, and the USS Belleau Woods has provided logistical support and helicopters.
Gelbard was due to fly back to Jakarta later Wednesday
after a two-day visit during which he also held talks with Interfet commander Major
General Peter Cosgrove and UNTAET officials.
UNTAET has been tasked with overseeing East Timor's road to
full statehood following the August 30 ballot in which the people of the territory voted
overwhelmingly for independence from Indonesia.
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