Jakarta – Six East Timorese activists holed up in the Austrian embassy in Jakarta since September 1997 left the diplomatic premises on Tuesday, according to former FRETILIN president Abilio Araujo.

Araujo, who nowadays regards himself as the leader of East Timor's so-called "Third Way" between the established Timorese resistance movement and pro-Indonesian forces, is currently in Jakarta for talks with Indonesian government officials.

The group of six East Timorese activitsts comprised the secretary-general of the Timorese Socialist Party (PST), Avelino da Silva, his wife, two chidren and two other activists.

The Indonesian authorities had accused the Da Silva and his wife of being members of an organisation known as "Black Brigade," which allegedly planned bomb attacks on civilians in Indonesia.