SOUTH AFRICA WELCOMES INDONESIA'S NEW FLEXIBILITY ON EAST TIMOR
Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo today welcomed the flexibility shown by the Indonesian Government on the issue of East Timor. Minister Nzo was reacting to statements made by the Indonesian Government that it may be prepared to grant East Timor independence if the majority of people of the territory desired this.
Minister Nzo has also been heartened by the fact that Portugal and Indonesia have ended their 24 year diplomatic freeze by exchanging diplomats and by the opening of interest sections in friendly embassies in both Lisbon and Jakarta.
Minister Nzo described the Indonesian Government's consideration to move Mr Xanana Gusmao from prison to allow him to participate in the search for a solution to the East Timor problem, as a significant and encouraging initiative. President Mandela and Minister Nzo have met with Mr Gusmao in prison on two separate occasions and both remain convinced that he has an important role to play in the negotiations on the future of East Timor. Minister Nzo also emphasised that South Africa remains willing to assist international efforts aimed at finding an early and peaceful resolution to the East Timor issue.
To this end, he was encouraged by the progress made in the latest round of talks between Portugal and Indonesia, held under the auspices of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in New York, which commenced on 28 January 1999.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
2 FEBRUARY 1999