From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: UN Timor "talks" fizzle
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 08:29:08 GMT

/** reg.easttimor: 340.0 **/
** Topic: UN Timor 'Talks' Fizzle **
** Written  9:13 am  Dec 19, 1992 by gn:tapol in cdp:reg.easttimor **
Subject: UN Timor 'Talks' Fizzle

/* Written 12:22 pm  Dec 18, 1992 by igc:apakabar in gn:reg.indonesia */
/* ---------- "UN Timor 'Talks" Fizzle" ---------- */

Remark: The talks yielded no dramatic public initiative by the UN Secretary
General, in particular, no public statement asking Indonesia for certain
action.  There is an unconfirmed report Boutros-Ghali asked that the talks
remain strictly confidential, though it is believed he asked Indonesia to
allow human rights monitoring NGOs access to East Timor, a request so
minimal it is something which surely need not have been kept secret,
all the more so since many NGOs and governments has sought this.  Instead,
the main public accomplishment of the 'talks,' if they even deserve this
kind of characterization, seems only an agreement once more to continue
to talk under the now time-worn UN framework language.  If there were any
"proximity talks" involving Timorese representatives, they remain a deep,
dark secret.  It seems quite unlikely to me that 'secret diplomacy' will
solve any of the fundamental problems facing East Timor and its people.
In coming days, we may even learn more from the mostly pliant Indonesian 
press about the December 17 meetings than from these pro forma stories.
And from the Portuguese press if anyone can monitor and report on it 
adequately and routinely. -- John


    According to a December 17 Reuter story datelined the United Nations,
the foreign ministers of Portugal and Indonesia conferred with 
Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali on Thursday on the question of 
East Timor and agreed to another round of talks with him in Rome on 
April 20, 1993, the United Nations said.
    "Prior to this, talks will be held at U.N. headquarters between
representatives of the two governments," a U.N. spokesman added.
    Boutros-Ghali held separate meetings on Thursday with Portuguese
Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Durao Barroso and Indonesian Foreign
Minister Ali Alatas before presiding over a joint meeting of the two and
hosting a working lunch.
    The meetings, which followed preparatory talks at U.N. headquarters
in September, were "in the context of the search for a just,
comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution to the question of
East Timor," the U.N. spokesman said.
    "Following today's discussions, it has been agreed to continue the
efforts to solve the East Timor question. A further meeting between the
two foreign ministers and the secretary-general will be held on April
20, 1993 in Rome."
    The secretary-general wished to express his appreciation to both
sides "for the cooperation which they have shown in the spirit of the
continuing process which they agreed to resume during their September
meeting," the spokesman added.

   According to a December 18 UPI story datelined Lisbon, Foreign Minister 
Jose Durao Barroso said Thursday that little progress had been made over 
East Timor at his latest meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas.

** End of text from cdp:reg.easttimor **

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