The United States has said it would accept the findings of a
truth commission probing killings by Indonesiantroops during East
Timor's break from Jakarta -- despite a boycott of the process by
the United Nations and criticism by rights groups.
The joint Indonesian and East Timorese commission is expected
to present its final report to the presidents of both countries
within weeks. Its members have worked for monts to find an
account that is acceptable to both sides.
"If it's good enough for East Timor and Indonesia, it should
be good enough for us," Christopher Hill, the U.S. assistant
secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said
Friday in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
Hill's comments to Te Associated Press are the strongest
indication yet that the United States will not allow the lack of
justice over past rights abuses to hurt its growing ties with
Indonesia, a large Muslim nation seen as a counterbalance to
China's growing clout in Asia.
"What we want to see is reconciliation between Indnesia and
East Timor," he said. "This is the way to go. If you look at East
Timor's future, it needs a good relationship with Indonesia."
Hill, who met Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
is due to travel to East Timor on Sunday.
The Commission of Truth and Friendship was set up in 2005 to
head off demands for a UNbacked international tribunal to try
those responsible for the violence during the 1999 independence
ballot.
At least 1,000 people were killed by vengeful Indonesian
troops following East Timor's overwhelming vote for independence
after 24 years of Indonesian rule, according to a previous UN
inquiry and scores of witnesses.
Amid intense international pressure, Indonesia put 18 military
officers on trial for the violence, but all were found not guilty
or acquitted on appeal.
East Timor leaders -- who are battling massive poverty, social
unrest and rebel soldiers who last month almost killed the
president -- have not pressed for more trials or an international
tribunal out of fear of upsetting their giant neighbor.
The commission has heard testimony from military officers and
victims, but has no power to prosecute individuals or order
anyone to testify. It could also recommend amnesties to people
found guilty of major crimes.
The UN said last year it was boycotting the commission because of the amnesty provision. East Timorese and international rights advocates have dismissed it as a facade designed to ease international pressure for a UN-sponsored tribunal. (****)
