EAST TIMORESE LEADERSHIP MEETS WITH INDONESIAN PRESIDENT

SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello, Cabinet Member for Foreign Affairs José Ramos-Horta, independence leader Xanana Gusmão and Chief Minister Designate Mari Alkatiri today attended what they described as an "extremely cordial" meeting with Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri in Jakarta.

The SRSG said that the 40-minute talks focused on the desire to establish a long-term relationship based on cooperation and friendship; the need to rapidly resolve the question of refugees; and economic issues such as the possible creation of a free trade zone between East and West Timor.

Mari Alkatiri said, "The Indonesian president is very open and positive regarding all of the issues discussed, including economic cooperation with Indonesia and the idea of establishing a triangle cooperation and development area integrating East Timor, West Timor, and the Northern Territory of Australia." Ramos-Horta said the meeting had opened "a new page in the bilateral relations between East Timor and Indonesia." Gusmão said that those present at the meeting had concluded "that we have the same objectives for the future." In a separate meeting with the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, it was decided that all bilateral issues be discussed on a technical level in the near future, followed by a second, high-level meeting in Denpasar, Indonesia, in mid-October. This meeting will be co-chaired by the SRSG, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the East Timorse leadership. Discussions will also take place with an Australian delegation on the establishment of triangular relations between the nations.

In the course of today's meetings it was further decided that Deputy SRSG Dennis McNamara and East Timor Prosecutor-General Mohammed Othman will visit Indonesia in two weeks to discuss pending legal issues and judicial cooperation with their Indonesian counterparts.

The invitation to Jakarta was extended by Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, who recently telephoned SRSG to convey his congratulations to UNTAET and to the East Timorese people on the successful and peaceful election process.

EAST TIMOR EXPRESSES SHOCK AT ATTACKS ON UNITED STATES

The East Timor leadership today joined a host of other nations in expressing shock and condemnation at the terrorist attacks committed against the United States on Tuesday.

SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello, Chief Minister Designate of the Council of Ministers Mari Alkatiri, Cabinet member for Foreign Affairs José Ramos-Horta and independence leader Xanana Gusmão expressed their sympathies in a letter to US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

"No amount or formulation of words can properly convey the sympathy we and the people of East Timor feel for the victims of this appalling crime, their families and the people and Government of the United States," the letter said.

"While this fledging country is unfortunately in no position to offer much in the way of material support, what it can offer in abundance, and which it does with all its heart, is moral support to a true friend in its time of need."

Speaking to Radio UNTAET in Dili, Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo expressed his sympathy and solidarity with the people of the United States.

"I extend my sympathy to the families of those killed," he said. "I condemn this act of terrorism, which has taken the lives of innocent people…We must condemn all acts of violence, be it the small or big countries, rich or poor. We must respect each other."

In related news, the Japanese Minister of Defence, who was scheduled to arrive in East Timor tomorrow for a two-day visit, cancelled the trip due to the events in the United States.