Indonesia throws support behind Ramos-Horta

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Tue, 09/05/2006 7:26 AM

Jonathan Dart, The Jakarta Post, Dili

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda on Monday signaled Indonesia's support for Timor Leste's government under Jos Ramos-Horta at the third annual Trilateral Commission Meeting in Dili.

Hassan met with Ramos-Horta and his Australian counterpart Alexander Downer to discuss issues of security and economic development, though the recent crisis in Timor Leste was an obvious focal point of the talks.

Ramos-Horta was installed as Timor Leste's new prime minister in June, after the incumbent Mari Alkatiri reluctantly resigned amid growing violence and the intervention of international forces.

In a bitter struggle for power, Alkatiri claimed that Timor Leste President Xanana Gusmao had breached the Constitution in issuing him a formal request to resign.

In a clear show of support, Hassan said that Indonesia would work closely with the new regime and congratulated Ramos-Horta for his strong leadership during the crisis.

""We congratulate Timor Leste for the smooth transition of powers, and the meeting that we conducted here in Dili clearly also reflects our support for the new government under the leadership of prime minister Ramos-Horta,"" Hassan said.

""When Timor Leste was facing difficulties in the past few months, Indonesia and Australia were among the first consulted and of course, we do what we can to assist Timor Leste to restore peace and security.""

Ramos-Horta responded by showering Indonesia with praise for its assistance throughout the crisis, and made reference to its support in the recent search for escaped rebel leader Alfredo Reinado.

On the weekend, Indonesia put its troops stationed in the East Nusa Tenggara province on alert, amid fears that Reinado and 56 other fugitives, who escaped from Dili's Becora Prison on Tuesday night, might try to escape into Indonesian territory.

""We thank Indonesia for its cooperation as we have had a very peaceful, stable border for a long time between Timor Leste and West Timor (East Nusa Tenggara).""

""And we also thank Indonesia for its cooperation throughout the crisis. Indonesia provided generous humanitarian assistance, even as Indonesia was struck by the earthquake.""

Among other outcomes reached at the Trilateral Commission Meeting, Hassan also indicated a loosening of restrictions on border trade between Timor Leste and East Nusa Tenggara.

Since Timor Leste's vote for independence in 1999, its farmers have suffered from a sharp drop in trade across the border and the country has appealed for increased trade in areas of traditional industry, such as agriculture.

""We discussed how to we split up the establishment of new and simplified border regimes, governing the regular as well as traditional border crossings between Indonesia and Timor Leste,"" Hassan said.

""Indonesia and Australia started as early as 1997 to develop cooperation between the Northern Territory and the Eastern parts of Indonesia, called the Australia-Indonesia Development Area -- it's only appropriate that we discuss and decided to include Timor Leste in that new triangle of cooperation.

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