For the first time in 23 years, all of East Timor's major political parties have come together to discuss a reconciliation proposal. Amid tight security, members representing East Timor's warring factions met as part of a two-day "reconciliation dialogue" organised by the territory's two Catholic bishops: Nobel laureate Carlos Belo of the Dili diocese and Basillio Nascimento of the Baucau diocese.
About 50 delegates, representing most of the groupings in East Timor – Fretilin, UDT, Apodeti and Kota – met in the old Catholic seminary in Dare, 8km south of the capital Dili.
The group hopes to reach agreement on the divisive issue of accepting the new Indonesian Government's recent offer to grant a special autonomy for East Timor or press for a referendum for self-determination. "We believe the solution lies with the East Timorese through a common vision and perception about the future of the province," Bishop Belo was quoted as having told the meeting. The result of the talks, delivered yesterday, will be conveyed to Jakarta, Lisbon and the UN Secretary-General.
Members representing each group were allowed to address the meeting for five minutes. By the end of the first session, it appeared clear that the majority favoured a referendum. Only three members spoke in favour of autonomy.
Political leaders from all sides claimed the talks yesterday as historic, being the first time they have engaged in official dialogue together since the brief civil war in August 1975 between UDT and Fretilin, just prior to the Indonesian invasion of the former Portuguese colony in December of the same year. That action has never been recognised by the international community.
However, Fretilin representative David Ximenes expressed reservations that 23 years of political separation could be resolved in two days. "The meeting today is historic, but it must be remembered we are handicapped by our history, and today we are not discussing substantial problems (political differences)," he said.
The site for the talks was also significant. Situated in the hills overlooking Dili, the Dare seminary is a traditional retreat for East Timorese fleeing trouble in Dili. Organisers also feared that to hold the meetings in Dili would invite demonstrations from students. But hundreds of students held a peaceful protest outside anyway. "We come here to witness this historic day," said Januario Soares, a 24-year-old student at the University of East Timor.
[On September 11 Agence France Presse reported that hundreds of students demonstrated peacefully at the provincial parliament in Dili on September 10 demanding the release of more East Timorese political prisoners, including Gusmao - James Balowski.]