Mark Forbes, Denpasar – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will reject a recommendation he apologise for Indonesia instigating gross human rights abuses during East Timor's 1999 independence vote, instead expressing regret, according to his Defence Minister, Juwono Sudarsono.
In Bali today Dr Yudhoyono and his East Timorese counterpart, Jose Ramos-Horta, will jointly accept the report of the Commission of Truth and Friendship into the atrocities.
The report, leaked to The Age last week, blames Indonesia for a co-ordinated campaign of violence, including murder, rape and tortures against Timorese civilians. It recommends both presidents apologise for their contribution to the carnage.
Questioned before a parliament yesterday Mr Sudarsono said both sides had made mistakes during the transition to independence. "There will be no apology, it is only about remorse, which is deep regret by both parties, from both governments, both presidents for their people," Mr Sudarsono said.
East Timorese voted overwhelmingly to split from Indonesia in 1999 and the UN estimates about 1000 East Timorese died during the post-vote mayhem. The report found both sides committed human rights abuses, but lays responsibility at Indonesia's feet, stating it sanctioned an organised campaign of violence and terror by pro-Indonesian militias, which led to a military intervention by the UN and Australia.
The commission was established by both presidents in an effort to repair relations. Without the power to recommend prosecutions, it was designed to head off calls for Indonesian officials to be prosecuted for war crimes.
An East Timorese member of the commission, Dionisio Babo Soares, said the report would help bring closure.
"Victims have been the priority of the commissioners in debating the recommendations, so as long as these things are addressed in an appropriate way, I believe very much that people in East Timor, particularly the victims, will not need go beyond the expectations of what the commissioners have written in the report," he said.
The Indonesian Government has said it recognises its "moral obligation" to act on the findings of the East Timor Truth and Friendship Commission. A member of the Indonesian parliament's foreign affairs committee, Djoko Susilo, criticised the attribution of blame to Indonesia. "The report shows moral punishment for both TNI (Army) in particular and the Indonesian people in general. It is not in accordance to what we expect.
"From what I read in the newspapers, the actions committed by the East Timorese militia were not proportionally uncovered." Mr Susilo rejected any moves to prosecute military officials, but supported the report being used to reform the military. (with agencies)