East Timor, Indonesia, and the international community

East Timor and Indonesia Form Commission on Truth and Friendship

The United States welcomes the formation by East Timor and Indonesia of a Commission on Truth and Friendship (CTF). We support the countries’ desire to strengthen their democracies, promote reconciliation, and bring closure to the human rights violations committed in East Timor in 1999. The Commission can be an important component of the overall effort to achieve accountability and reconciliation. The recommendations of the United Nations Commission of Experts, which is expected to complete its work in May, will be another key element in this endeavor.

We encourage the two commissions to coordinate closely. There needs to be a partnership between East Timor, Indonesia, and the international community. Internationally recognized accountability for the 1999 human rights violations, including finding the truth and identifying the perpetrators, will assist these two new democracies to move forward and achieve their many shared objectives. The United States will follow the work of the two commissions with great interest.

2005/303

Released on March 9, 2005 Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC March 9, 2005

Rice's travel to South Asia, East Asia

Secretary’s Travel to South Asia and East Asia

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will travel to South Asia and East Asia from March 14-21, 2005. During this time she will visit India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Japan, Korea, and China. In South Asia, the Secretary will highlight positive momentum in the region, including our transformed relationship with India, our continuing commitment to Afghanistan’s reconstruction and our long-term engagement with Pakistan. On her visit to East Asian nations she will discuss our global and regional cooperation, such as the actions we are taking together to support democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan. In addition, she will review with our partners our diplomatic efforts to convene the next round of Six Party Talks.

2005/297 Press Statement Richard Boucher, Spokesman Washington, DC March 9, 2005