“I view there is a lack of talks for reconciliation. Therefore, I expect Indonesian government to intensify these talks,” said de Mello, who came with East Timor’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ramos Horta. De Mello also requested the House members to visit East Timor to see directly what is happening and has been done in the area.
Meanwhile, Akbar said he’s still unable to carry out the suggestion. However, he hoped UNTAET could help East Timorese refugees in Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara, return to their country. According to Akbar, the issue is essential since East Timor is currently preparing for a general election. “So, the question is how to enable the refugees to participate in the general election, including if they wish to form a new political party,” Akbar said.
DPR’s Commission I member Djoko Susilo, who accompanied Akbar in the meeting, said that House members were also questioning about the armed forces UNTAET established in East Timor. In regard to this, de Mello admits that the armed forces is led by Brig. Gen. Taur Matan Ruak, a member of Foras Armadas Libertao Independencia de Timor Leste (FALINTIL), the military wing of the East Timor’s National Resistance Council (CNRT). A battalion in the armed forces even entirely consists of FALINTIL’s members.
“I regret that UNTAET appointed anti-Indonesia people. Why couldn’t they pick neutral figures?” Djoko said. According to Djoko, UNTAET is intentionally creating hostility between Indonesians and East Timorese as well as between FALINTIL and pro-integration followers.