Denpasar – The East Timorese government has stated its commitment to prevent the establishment of an UN Expert Commission, aimed at investigating human rights violations in East Timor following the 1999 ballot.
"We prefer focusing on a better relationship between Indonesia and East Timor. The current situation is far more important than what happened in the past," said East Timorese foreign minister Ramos Horta after a meeting with Indonesian foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda in Denpasar, Bali, on Sunday (15/08).
Horta admitted that the case of human rights violations in East Timor following the 1999 ballot had disturbed the relationship between Indonesia and East Timor. However, the East Timorese government considers Indonesia as a country that is in a transitional process towards democracy.
"We are really impressed with the holding of the general election in Indonesia. It comes as an excellent example of democracy for the international community," Horta stated.
He declined to comment on the ruling made by the Central Jakarta District Court, which released several Indonesian Military (TNI) high-rank officers in East Timor human rights violation cases.
Horta once again stated his government's intention to prioritize the future relationship between both countries.
Indonesian foreign minister Hassan Wirajuda said that the Indonesian government believed in the commitment made by the East Timorese' government as regards human rights violations in East Timor.
Such a commitment, he added, had been indicated and shown in the policies of the East Timorese government.
Wirajuda said that the Indonesian government had a similar commitment as East Timor regarding the establishment of an UN Expert Commission.
"We share the same view that the bilateral relationship should not be burdened by the past. The most important thing for us is to maintain our relationship," he stated.
Wirajuda and Horta also agreed that the handling of human rights violation cases in East Timor following the 1999 ballot had been maximal.
Therefore, they did not think that any foreign parties' intervention would be necessary regarding this.
In addition to discussing the plan to establish an UN Expert Commission, Horta and Wirajuda also discussed the settlement of Indonesia's and East Timor's borders.
Wirajuda said that at the end of June 2004, 90 percent of all matters related to land borders between both countries had been settled.
The two countries will only have to discuss the matters on sea borders on Batek Island and other maritime borders.
Wirajuda and Horta said they hoped that by October, all matters related to Indonesia's and East Timor's borders would have been settled. (Rofiqi Hasan-Koran Tempo)