Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara – Armindo Soares Mariano, caretaker of UNTAS – an East Timorese refugee organization – disclosed here on Friday that East Timorese President Xanana Gusmao would not be granting amnesty to pro-Indonesia militiamen who fled to East Nusa Tenggara following the popular ballot in 1999.

Armindo said Gusmao, after his election to the presidency, had stressed the importance of the legal process against crime, including those by pro-Indonesia militiamen before and after the ballot.

"Gusmao's plan to give amnesty to the pro-Indonesia militia – thus encouraging their repatriation – has been thwarted by a United Nations official dealing with human rights issues," he told Antara.

Armindo revealed that after his visit across the border to East Nusa Tenggara before being elected president earlier this year, where he had reportedly promised amnesty, Xanana had been reprimanded by the UN official. He also said that he had heard about in absentia trials being organized in East Timor against pro-Indonesia militiamen in exile.