INDONESIA: TIMORESE REBEL GUSMAO MEETS JUSTICE MINISTER

(19 Apr 1999) Indonesian/Nat
Timorese rebel leader Xanana Gusmao has retracted his call to arms in East Timor after a meeting with Indonesian Justice Minister Muladi.
Muladi had threatened to put Gusmao back in prison if he did not change his position.
The rebel leader said the call was not designed to incite violence, rather he was only trying to encourage his people to defend themselves against attacks by pro-Indonesian militia.
The Indonesian government has accepted the explanation, urging the rival groups in East Timor to find a peaceful solution to their differences.
Gusmao's meeting with Justice Minister Muladi came almost a week after he called for a new insurrection in East Timor.
Pro-Indonesia militia have since stepped up their attacks on supporters of independence, and as many as 100 may have been killed since the rebel leader's statement.
Gusmao has issued two statements attempting to clarify that his call was for self-defense.
But Muladi has insisted that he would be moved from house arrest back to Cipinang prison if a stronger retraction was not made.
SOUNDBITE: (Bahasa Indonesia)
"My statement was not a call to war, only to defend ourselves. It was misunderstood."
SUPERCAPTION: Xanana Gusmao, Jailed Timorese Rebel Leader
With his threat of force removed, all Gusmao could do is appeal for an end to the killings.
SOUNDBITE: (Bahasa Indonesia)
"I want to appeal to all FALINTIL members, civilians and our pro-integration brothers to realize that violence and war are not the best solution in East Timor."
SUPERCAPTION: Xanana Gusmao, Jailed Timorese Rebel Leader
The Justice Minister's comments reflected statements made by other members of the government, including foreign minister Ali Alatas and Defense Chief Wiranto, asking for peace.
SOUNDBITE: (Bahasa Indonesia)
"He (Habibie) appeals to opposing sides in East Timor to ceasefire, to end all conflicts in East Timor. Because we can see in the end the victims are innocent."
SUPERCAPTION: Muladi, Indonesian Justice Minister
Earlier in the day Gusmao received some Australian journalists and the country's ambassador for a briefing on his position.
Australia has been outspoken in calling for an end to the violence, and putting blame on the Indonesian military.
Prime Minister John Howard called President BJ Habibie personally on Monday to press for new measures to end the bloodshed.
Australia is one of the few nations that recognizes Indonesian sovereignty over East Timor.
It is also the nation located closest to the island.
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