 |
|
Front Page | |
World | |
UK | |
UK Politics | |
Business | |
Sci/Tech | |
Health | |
Education | |
Sport | |
Entertainment | |
Talking Point | |
| |
| |
| |
| On Air Feedback Low Graphics Help |
|
Wednesday, May 27, 1998 Published at 00:50 GMT 01:50 UK
World: Asia-Pacific
Portugal acts on East Timor
![[ image: Xanana Gusmao - Timorese resistance leader]](/olmedia/100000/images/_101064_gusmao150.jpg) |
| Xanana Gusmao - Timorese resistance leader |
The Prime Minister, Antonio Guterres, said the government had contacted the United States, the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and other world leaders, appealing to them to increase the pressure on the new administartion in Indonesia.
Portugal - the former ruler of the territory - has been one of the main advocates of self-determination for East Timor since Indonesia invaded it 23 years ago.
A BBC correspondent in Lisbon says Portugal's Prime Minister, Antonio Guterres, chose his moment carefully to launch a broad-based diplomatic campaign for the release of Timorese political prisoners.
Officials believe that any regime resulting from the promised elections in Indonesia would treat the issue quite differently from the current administration.
Top of the list of political prisoners is Xanana Gusmao, head of the Timorese resistance movement.
He reportedly told journalists this week he doesn't want to benefit from the amnesty promised by Indonesia's new President, Jusuf Habibie, if that meant a pardon rather than an admission that he was wrongly imprisoned.
~RS~a~RS~international~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~30~RS~)
|
 Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia |
|
Relevant Stories
03 Apr 98 | Asia-Pacific Indonesia rejects Portugal's proposal on Timor talks 09 Mar 98 | AUDIOBOX Rare interviews from East Timor 05 Mar 98 | SPECIAL REPORT Has East Timor's time come? |
|
|
|
Internet Links Xanana Gusmao - A Briefing (Amnesty International) |
|
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. |