WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2836/98 by Niall ANDREWS to the Commission. East Timor independence
Date: 1998-09-28
Institutions: ANDREWS, European Parliament
Subjects: East Timor, Indonesia, UNO, common position, military occupation, political status, political system, political violence

14.5.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 135/127

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(12 November 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its communication to the Council, the
Parliament, the Economic and social committee and the Committee of the regions on the year 2000
computer problem (1).

The Commission would also refer the Honourable Member to its answers to Written Questions
E-421/98 (2), E-422/98 and E-425/98 (3) and E-424/98 (4) by Mr Watson.

The Commission is preparing a report for the December European Council in Vienna on the state of
readiness of the Member States, which should clarify the situation.

Finally the Honourable Member may refer to the Commission’s world wide web site on the matter
(http://www.ispo.cec.be/y2keuro).

(1) COM(98) 102 final.
(2) OJ C 310, 9.10.1998, p. 61.
(3) OJ C 304, 2.10.1998, p. 98.
(4) OJ C 310, 9.10.1998, p. 62.

(1999/C 135/152)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2836/98

by Niall Andrews (UPE) to the Commission

(28 September 1998)

Subject: East Timor independence

Following the change of leadership in Indonesia, will the Commission state what developments have taken
place on the legitimate claim for independence for the people of East Timor?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(26 October 1998)

Since early August 1998, several important developments have taken place with regard to a possible
solution of the situation in East Timor.

On 4 and 5 August 1998 the United Nations Secretary general held talks with the ministers of foreign
affairs of Portugal and Indonesia in New York that led, for the first time in history, to a joint communiqué.
The main point in the communiqué was the agreement to hold in-depth discussions on a special status for
East Timor without prejudice to their basic positions of principle. It was also agreed to involve the various
groups in East Timor more closely in the search for a solution. It was agreed that the all-inclusive intra-
East Timorese dialogue should resume in October 1998. Agreement was also reached on the establishment
of interest sections in friendly embassies in Lisbon and Jakarta respectively.

On 10 and 11 September 1998, a reconciliation meeting took place in Dare in East Timor, on the invitation
of Bishop Belo, bringing together all the various factions and public and civil groups of East Timor. At the
end of the meeting, a joint statement was published. It stressed the point that there were divergent views
among the various groups, and that further efforts were needed to find a common platform to unite the
people of East Timor.

There were also some sporadic riots and looting of government rice stores in East Timor, due to the dire
economic situation and apparently without political connotation. The Indonesian government continued
with a moderate reduction of its troops, but recently sent in fresh troops, claiming that the new arrivals
were not combat troops, but included medical officers.

The Commission hopes that the positive developments observed over the past few weeks will soon lead to
a just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution for the problem of East Timor.