U.S. Offers Support on Probe into E. Timor Atrocities

(Kyodo), June 22 - The United States has offered full support in working with East Timor and Indonesia to make the Truth and Friendship Commission formed by the two countries as credible as possible as it investigates alleged atrocities in East Timor in 1999, U.S. Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Pierre Prosper said Wednesday.

Proper said the U.S. is committed to working with the two governments and the United Nations to produce a good outcome so both governments can move forward and come to terms with the past.

Talking to reporters at Dili airport before leaving East Timor after a two-day visit, he said a lot more work needs to be done to not only find the truth but to bring the episode to an end.

"The U.S. needs to remain committed to working with all parties to try to find the truth and this creates the environment where justice has an opportunity to succeed," Prosper said.

During the visit, he met with government leaders, prosecutors and U.N. officials, as well as the kin of victims and survivors of the 1999 conflict.

"In other words, we would like to see in here, in this state, the place where the people of East Timor and elsewhere are able to attend to hear the testimony, to hear the evidence. Because the more the people are involved, the greater likelihood there is for acceptance of the process," Prosper said.

"So, our main objective as we look forward is that whatever steps are taken now must be steps that lead us to a credible, acceptable conclusion. We do not want to see more mechanisms," he said.

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