Indonesia's president expressed regret today for violence surrounding East Timor's 1999 independence ballot
after a joint commission blamed state institutions for "gross human rights violations".
"We convey very deep regret at what happened in the past that has caused the loss of lives and property," Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said after the truth commission submitted its report on the violence to him, East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta and East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao.
The two governments set up the Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF) in 2005 to look into the atrocities, but it has no power to prosecute, prompting criticism that it serves to whitewash atrocities.
It has been boycotted by the UN.
The report on the violence, during which the United Nations estimates about 1,000 East Timorese died, was submitted in Bali.
The report says Indonesian security and civilian forces carried out "gross human rights violations" and also recommended the presidents of both Indonesia and East Timor apologise to their people.
Speaking yesterday, Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono told Indonesia's parliament "There will be no apology, it is only about remorse, which is deep regret by both parties, from both governments, both presidents for their people".
Some commentators have expressed surprise the report went as far as it did in blaming Indonesia, but Sudarsono said it was wrong to suggest that it was blaming only Jakarta.
"First, the mistakes were on both sides," he said, adding that the report was also forward looking and seeking to heal on both sides.
The two governments set up the CTF in 2005 to look into the violence, but it has no power to prosecute, prompting criticism that it serves to whitewash atrocities. It has been boycotted by the UN.
East Timorese voted overwhelmingly to split from Indonesian rule in 1999 and the United Nations estimates about 1,000 East Timorese died during the post-vote mayhem.
Reuters