Jill Jolliffe, Darwin – East Timor Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri is aiming to turn former bitter enemies into best friends and neighbours during his first official visit to Indonesia since his nation became independent. Mr Alkatiri arrived in Jakarta yesterday, leading a high-powered delegation that includes five ministers, commanders of the new nation's army and police forces and more than 20 Timorese businessmen.
During the three-day visit at the invitation of President Megawati Soekarnoputri, there is consensus that the two leaders will focus on healing issues. Their agenda includes border problems, fostering trade ties, co-operation in health and education, and the problem of the continued concentration in West Timor of about 28,000 refugees in militia-controlled camps.
However, according to prime minister's aide Jose Guterres, the question of an international court to judge Indonesian officers accused of war crimes during Jakarta's scorched-earth withdrawal from Timor in 1999 will not be discussed. "We are putting it to one side for now," Mr Guterres said.
Days before the delegation left Dili, there was a flurry of diplomatic activity after an international news agency reported that Mr Alkatiri would confront the Indonesian President over the issue.
Panicking Indonesian diplomats requested clarification. "The Prime Minister would not be so stupid as to say that on the eve of such a sensitive visit, which is to deepen friendly relations."
The visit is also an occasion for the 53-year-old Prime Minister to raise his profile in Jakarta. Although he is a leader of the radical Fretilin party, he is also a practising Muslim and a pragmatist, and should have an easy rapport with Indonesian leaders.
They have become accustomed to dealing with the better-known President Xanana Gusmao, creating some confusion about who represents East Timorese policy. The presidency is a figurehead role, and it is Mr Alkatiri who wields executive power.
While President Gusmao has been in Jakarta before, this will be Mr Alkatiri's first official visit.