Jakarta - Rival pro and anti-Indonesia East Timorese faction leaders yesterday ended days of talks convened by the Catholic Church still deeply divided, but signed a joint declaration of common principles.
Meanwhile armed pro-Jakarta militamen entered a UN residence in Viqueque, 90 km from the Timorese capital, Dili, and threatened staff, the UN said, a day after an attack on another UN compound drew UN Security Council censure.
The delegates in Jakarta agreed "to observe" a June 18th call to their followers on laying down of arms, and disarmament, and to declare the Indonesian police was the only authority responsible for security and public order during the process of popular consultation leading to a referendum on autonomy/ independence in August. The conference closed "in a subdued atmosphere", a church spokesman said.
The jailed East Timorese leader, Mr Xanana Gusmao, said he was "satisfied" with the results and added reconciliation was a process and all participants had agreed to follow it up.