 |
||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
||||||
 |
|
|
|
"Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of the government. The history of government is a history of resistance. The history of liberty is the history of the limitation of government, not the increase of it." Woodrow Wilson, President, to the NY Press Club, 1912 |
|
|
Jakarta spent millions of dollars on infrastructure during its 24-year rule in East Timor and many migrants from other parts of Indonesia left behind their property when they fled violence there in 1999.
The claims Indonesia made to public and private assets in East Timor when it handed over authority to the United Nations in October 1999 have been disputed by Dili, which says the claims should be dropped because of the widespread devastation East Timor suffered during Jakarta's often brutal rule.
In addition, pro-Jakarta local militias--organized by Indonesian security officials--embarked on a scorched earth campaign in which whole towns were destroyed after the East Timorese voted overwhelmingly for independence in August 1999.
A 17-member delegation from Jakarta led by Home Affairs Minister Hari Sabarno which made a one-day visit to the newly-born state on Saturday held talks with East Timor's Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri and President Xanana Gusmao on the assets claim and other issues.
"We will set up a joint committee to look into the issue of assets in more detail," Sabarno, a former army general, told reporters after meeting Alkatiri.
"We did not discuss the issue in detail but it remains our concern. Assets should be maintained for our common interests," the minister said.
But Sabarno added Indonesia would abide by international conventions concerning the asset claim.
"If according to international laws they belong to East Timor, so be it," he said.
Rogerio Lobato, East Timor's home affairs minister, said his country's position on the asset issue would be in line with the constitution.
"In our constitution it is stipulated that any asset in Timor Leste (East Timor) shall be used for the interest of Timor Leste," he said, adding the joint committee would probably be established on Monday.
Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese colony in 1975 and annexed it the following year in defiance of world opinion.
East Timor voted to break away from Indonesian rule in a United Nations-sponsored ballot on August 30, 1999. The territory became officially independent on May 20 in a celebration attended by Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri.
Last month Jakarta abruptly postponed a visit by Gusmao because of what it described as a scheduling problem. It denied any snub was intended.
Gusmao had planned to make his first overseas trip as newly elected president to Indonesia, to symbolize a new chapter in relations.
The Indonesian delegation, which also included Trade Minister Rini Suwandi and Social Affairs Minister Bachtiar Chamsyah, later met East Timor's Parliament.
Parliamentary speaker Fransisco "Lu Olo" Guterres hailed the visit as a "milestone" in the two countries' relations.
"We are looking forward to cooperation with Indonesia. After independence good relations with Indonesia are all the more important," Guterres said.
Sabarno in return said that the visit "demonstrates that Indonesia is paying special attention" to East Timor.
The Indonesian delegation was due to return to Jakarta later on Saturday.
Find out more about East Timor by clicking by HERE
Return to the Foreign Aid/Affairs/Defense budget by clicking HERE
|
|
|
| ...... |
Site by webDedication webDesign Studios
© 2002-2007 Mark Yannone. All rights reserved. |