Dili, 28 April 2000

XANANA IN JAKARTA

CNRT President Xanana Gusmao met Indonesian President Wahid this morning in one more step to strengthen bilateral relationships between East Timor and Indonesia.

They discussed many issues, among which the pensions for East Timorese former civil servants, the Oecussi corridor, border points, and refugees.

SRSG BACK IN DILI

The SRSG Sergio Vieira de Mello arrived today in Dili after his official trip to four Asian countries, Japan, China, Malaysia and Singapore.

In the last two countries, Malaysia and Singapore, the SRSG met the Prime Ministers and the foreign ministers. Both Governments made offers to train East Timorese in different administrative areas and government officials.

Malaysia is specifically looking into the Civil Service Academy, the Institute of Diplomacy, economic training, and management of foreign investment.

Singapore is looking in the fiscal and budget management, and health areas.

The offers mean that East Timorese would be sent to be trained in these two countries.

Teams from both Governments will visit East Timor soon to examine the details.

MOKO SOARES CONVICTED

Moko Soares, the Oecussi militia leader, was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months in prison last Wednesday by a court in Kefamenanu, in West Timor. According the judge, he already served three months.

Moko Soares was charged of illegal possession of weapons, not on alleged offenses committed as a militia leader in the Oecussi region in 1999 and 2000.

He was arrested on 4 February on possession of two grenades found in his car.

BATUGADE BORDER OPENS MAY 1

The first land border crossing between East Timor and Indonesia will open on 1 May in Batugade. The crossing point will initially be manned by five international customs and immigration officers who are to be joined by nine Timorese colleagues later in the week.

The other two land crossings in Salele and Oecussi are to follow in the coming weeks. East Timor Border Control Service will also establish an office in Maliana to deal with people who occasionally cross the border in Haekesak, Memo and surrounding area. There will be no permanent border crossings in these places but border control officers will sometimes patrol the area and conduct checks.

Border Control Service currently has so far collected some US$400,000 in taxes, since 20 March.

JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTER IN DILI

Japanese Foreign Minister Yohei Kono, accompanied by Japan's Ambassador in Jakarta and other senior Government officials, will arrive in Dili on Sunday for a brief visit.

At the Governor's House, the Minister will hold discussions with the SRSG, and will attend a signing ceremony for a grant agreement worth US$90,000 intended for a purchase of radio receivers for East Timorese. The grants will be signed by the Ambassador Kawakami and the SRSG and witnesses by Minister Kono.