Australia to Press Indonesia on East Timor Resolution Ahead of United Nations Vote

Australian officials are scheduled to hold talks with Indonesian President B.J. Habibie in Bali on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in East Timor. The talks aim to persuade Indonesia to disarm rival factions and free East Timorese rebel leader Xanana Gusmao, who is currently under house arrest in Jakarta. Australia has expressed concern over the bloodshed, loss of life, and human rights abuses in the territory, which has been invaded by Indonesia since 1975.

Key Takeaways:

• Australian officials will press Indonesia to disarm rival factions in East Timor and free East Timorese rebel leader Xanana Gusmao.
• The talks aim to secure a peaceful resolution to the crisis in East Timor ahead of a United Nations vote on its future, likely to be held in early August.
• Australia has expressed "an immense concern" over the bloodshed, loss of life, and human rights abuses in East Timor.
• The Australian government has ruled out withholding aid or military cooperation from Indonesia if it does not cooperate on East Timor.
• Pro-integration militias in East Timor have pledged to die to keep their link to Indonesia, following a massacre of independence supporters in recent weeks.
• Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has described Xanana Gusmao as a "very moderate and reasonable person" who can be a stabilizing influence in East Timor.

Statistics:

• 1975: The year Indonesia invaded East Timor.
• 1976: The year East Timor was annexed by Indonesia.
• 5,000: The number of pro-integration militia members who pledged to die to keep their link to Indonesia.
• May 5: The scheduled date for Indonesia and Portugal to sign agreements with the United Nations on organizing and securing the East Timor vote.