President Yudhoyono meets with Timor Leste parliamentary delegation

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono received a parliamentary delegation from Timor Leste at his office here on Tuesday, and discussed issues such as economic cooperation, border dispute settlement and education.

"It was an honor to be able to meet with the president who has a deep care for the people of Timor Leste and along with the Timor Leste government worked hard to settle problems between the two countries," the Timor Leste parliament speaker who led the delegation, Fernando La Sama de Araujo, said after the meeting.

He said that only three percent of the border problems had yet to be settled.

Regarding questions about historical facts around the 1999 referendum in East Timor, Fernando said that the Timor Leste parliament would not intervene in the decisions that had been made by the two countries` governments.

"The Timor Leste parliament will wait for a final report of the KKP on the matter," he said.

Indonesian presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said President Yudhoyono in the meeting had emphasized the importance of the relations not only between the two countries` governments but also their parliaments.

"The President appreciates Mr Fernando for coming to Indonesia first before visiting other countries. He also expressed his joy for being able to help Timor Leste in providing electricity. He has received a message from prime minister Xanana Gusmao through Fernando telling him
that the assistance was very useful and appreciated by the people of Timor Leste," he said.

Asked about the Batek island in Nusa Tenggara, Dino, said it had not been discussed. "Indonesia and Timor Leste have no territorial dispute and the President has already agreed to regulatory measures there because it is clear that the island is in the country`s territory," he said.

A number of newspapers in the country reported on Monday that the Timor Leste parliament had expressed the Timor Leste governemnt`s wish to use the island upon traditional considerations without intending to claim it.

They said the island is as wide as a soccer field had long been used for religious rituals by both Timor Leste and Indonesian citizens.(*)