RI, Timor Leste pledge better relations after report

Abdul Khalik , The Jakarta Post , Nusa Dua, Bali | Wed, 07/16/2008 12:28 PM | Headlines

Indonesian and Timor Leste on Wednesday promised to follow up on recommendations proposed by a joint truth commission in a bid to foster better bilateral ties between the two nations.

The report by the Commission for Truth and Friendship (CTF) found that the Indonesian government, the TNI and police committed gross rights violations in the form of crimes against humanity such as murder, rape, torture, illegal detention and forced deportation against civilian populations in East Timor in 1999.

After accepting the report President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta signed a commitment to faithfully implement the commission's recommendations and to take other steps to further promote friendship and reconciliation between the two countries.

"This report will begin a new chapter of Timor Leste and Indonesia bilateral relations as it will enable people of both countries to face the difficult past and work together for the future ," Timor Leste Foreign Minister said in a press conference after the report was submitted.

He said the commission findings would serve as the basis for both countries to strengthen already good bilateral ties with commitments to follow up on the commission's recommendations. He said the focus would be on addressing the victims and resolving pending issues, such as borders, refugees and disappeared persons.

Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said the two countries would focus more on enhancing bilateral ties than taking legal action against individuals allegedly perpetrating gross human rights violations in East Timor in 1999.

"We have closed the case. We have long considered that it is better for us to think about the future than get stuck in the past that can cause problems within both countries, considering the domestic condition of Indonesia and Timor Leste. Also, our bilateral relations are at stake here," he said.

The commission's recommendations included the need for both countries to undergo institutional reform in judicial bodies and military and security forces to turn them into accountable institutions without a culture of violence.

It also highlighted the need for both countries to establish training on human rights for military and police personnel.

On the border issue, the commission proposed a visa-free zone that would improve communication and cultural and economic exchange between people living along the border.

The commission also recommended that both countries establish a documentation and conflict resolution center tasked with promoting understanding of the past between people of the two nations.

The center should also be tasked with developing comprehensive and inclusive survivor healing programs, particularly for victims of sexual violence and torture, the commission proposed.

Hassan said both governments would come up with plans of action as soon as each presented the report to their parliaments.