January 22, 2004

East Timor Prosecutor Seeks Arrest Of Indonesian Presidential Candidate

East Timor's top prosecutor says he will ask an appeals court for help in
securing arrest warrants for Indonesian presidential candidate Wiranto and
five other senior Indonesian army officers indicted for crimes against
humanity.

Almost one year after prosecutors in East Timor indicted the retired Gen
Wiranto and six other senior Indonesian officers for the 1999 violence in
East Timor, judges have issued a warrant for only one of them.

Prosecutor Longuinhos Monteiro, an employee of the East Timorese
administration, accused international judges working in the East Timor
capital, Dili, of hindering his efforts to get the warrants.

East Timor's President Xanana Gusmao has criticized the indictments. He
argues, peace and stability depend on the relationship East Timor forges
with Indonesia and such indictments are not in the national interest.

Source: Radio Australia, Melbourne, in English 1100 gmt 22 Jan 04