Indonesia has succeeded in getting the United Nations Human Rights Commission to drop a resolution condemning its human rights record in East Timor. Lisa Schlein reports from the commission meeting in Geneva that a deal was worked out whereby Indonesia received a milder form of rebuke.

Human Rights activists had hoped for a strong resolution condemning Indonesia for human rights violations in East Timor, a former Portuguese territory which Indonesia invaded in 1975. Instead, the UN Human Rights Commission settled for a milder rebuke in what's known as a "chairman's statement."

The consensus statement emerged after Indonesia worked out a deal with the European Union, which had sponsored the resolution on human rights in East Timor. in exchange for dropping the resolution, Indonesia agreed to several concessions.

The statement, which was read by the chairman of the commission, Jacob Selebi, noted that Indonesia had promised to allow greater access to East Timor by the international media and international humanitarian organizations.

"The commission welcomes the intention of the government of Indonesia to continue to cooperate with the Commission on Human Rights and its mechanisms, and in particular, the government's decision to invite the working group on arbitrary detention to visit East Timor in advance of the 55th (eds: the next) session of the commission."

Diplomats here see this as a major concession from Indonesia. they note that the working group on arbitrary detentions is one of the UN's key investigative bodies. Last year, two members of the working group went on a fact-finding mission to China and Tibet. This was the first time UN investigators were allowed to visit Chinese and Tibetan detention centers.

In reading the statement, Mr. Selebi said the commission was, however, deeply concerned about reports of violations of human rights in East Timor. he said the Indonesian government had promised to promote human rights in East Timor at previous commission sessions, but failed to follow through.

"The commission stresses the need for their implementation, including concrete steps on the early trial and release of East Timorese detained or convicted, and for those in custody to be treated humanely."