East Timor leader speaks

BY KERRYN WILLIAMS

CANBERRA — “I used to be an activist, where I was very flexible and
could criticise everything, but now I'm representing East Timor”, East
Timor's deputy minster for foreign affairs and cooperation Fernando de
Araujo told a public lecture attended by 50 people at the Australian National
University on March 11.

De Araujo was formerly the head of Renetil, the East Timorese National
Student Resistance, and spent time in Indonesia's Cipinang prison with
East Timorese leader Xanana Gusmao. He is currently president of the Democratic
Party.

De Araujo said that improving relations with Indonesia was a major task
of East Timor's foreign affairs department. He added that the Indonesian
government had been open-minded in discussions on border demarcation and
the repatriation of refugees.

De Araujo expressed hope that East Timor would be accepted as a member
of the United Nations and noted that the Burmese regime had blocked his
country's admission to ASEAN. He emphasised the importance of strong links
with Australia and other countries in the region. He also indicated interest
in pursuing the proposal for a West Pacific Forum, initiated by former
Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid.

De Araujo explained that East Timor's defence and security issues would
not be solved by establishing a large military, but rather through diplomatic
means.

East Timor will declare its formal independence on May 20.

From Green Left Weekly, March 27, 2002.

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From GLW issue 486