|
 |
|
Indonesia
Asks East Timor to Block Wiranto Arrest Warrant
JAKARTA (AP): Indonesia wants East Timor to block an arrest
warrant against retired general Wiranto, a candidate in
Indonesia's presidential race who has been indicted for
war crimes in the half-island nation, the top Indonesian
military officer said on Monday. Earlier this month, a UN-backed
court based in East Timor's capital Dili issued the warrant
against Wiranto for his alleged role in the atrocities committed
in the former Indonesian province when it voted for independence
in 1999.
UN prosecutors indicted Wiranto last year for his alleged
command responsibility for "murder, deportation and
persecution" committed during 1999. Wiranto has repeatedly
denied any wrongdoing and has said the accusations were
aimed at undermining his candidacy. The Golkar party of
former dictator Soeharto nominated Wiranto last month as
its candidate for presidential elections to be held on July
5.
During the weekend, East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao
met his Indonesian counterpart Megawati Soekarnoputri on
the resort island of Bali. "We sought an understanding
from Xanana that if the case continues it will not be good
for (Indonesia's) situation ahead of the presidential election,"
Indonesian military chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said
on Monday before a Cabinet meeting.
"We need reconciliation and to look to the future of
our countries' relationship, rather than resurrect the past,"
said Endriartono, who attended the Bali meeting. "And
Xanana welcomed the initiative." The chief prosecutor
in the capital, Dili, also said last week he would try to
revoke the warrant against Wiranto, saying it was premature
and that the case needed further review. On Sunday, East
Timorese Foreign Minister Jose Ramos Horta said East Timor
wants to find a solution "acceptable to all" for
the crimes committed in 1999 in which at least 1,500 people
died. M (JP/IM)
|
