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Jakarta warns against Timor probe | Jakarta warns against Timor probe |
(5 days later) | |
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says ties with Australia may be harmed by a war crimes inquiry into five journalists' deaths in East Timor. | Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says ties with Australia may be harmed by a war crimes inquiry into five journalists' deaths in East Timor. |
Australian police earlier announced the inquiry into the deaths of the "Balibo Five" which happened during Indonesia's invasion of East Timor in 1975. | Australian police earlier announced the inquiry into the deaths of the "Balibo Five" which happened during Indonesia's invasion of East Timor in 1975. |
President Yudhoyono said to reopen the case was not in the spirit of the relationship the two countries shared. | |
Indonesia maintains the journalists were killed accidentally in cross-fire. | Indonesia maintains the journalists were killed accidentally in cross-fire. |
This version of events has been accepted by successive Australian governments. | This version of events has been accepted by successive Australian governments. |
But in 2007 an Australian coroner found that the the two Australians, two Britons and a New Zealander were executed by Indonesian special forces in the border town of Balibo to stop them revealing details of an impending Indonesian invasion. | But in 2007 an Australian coroner found that the the two Australians, two Britons and a New Zealander were executed by Indonesian special forces in the border town of Balibo to stop them revealing details of an impending Indonesian invasion. |
'Past mistakes' | 'Past mistakes' |
Mr Yudhoyono implied that Australian history showed it was not free from its own mistakes in the past. | Mr Yudhoyono implied that Australian history showed it was not free from its own mistakes in the past. |
"Frankly if we were to focus on the past, then we can look at the era of slavery, crimes against humanity, colonialism. All gross human rights violations," he said. | "Frankly if we were to focus on the past, then we can look at the era of slavery, crimes against humanity, colonialism. All gross human rights violations," he said. |
"But a smart and wise nation looks forward. I am urging Australia's foreign minister to manage this problem wisely so that it won't disrupt our good relations with Australia." | "But a smart and wise nation looks forward. I am urging Australia's foreign minister to manage this problem wisely so that it won't disrupt our good relations with Australia." |
Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah told the BBC that Jakarta considered the matter closed and had no intention of reopening it. | Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah told the BBC that Jakarta considered the matter closed and had no intention of reopening it. |
He said an investigation would be difficult as many witnesses may no longer be alive. | He said an investigation would be difficult as many witnesses may no longer be alive. |
The announcement of the Australian inquiry comes weeks after the release of a hard-hitting film, Balibo, which shows the five being murdered by Indonesian troops. | The announcement of the Australian inquiry comes weeks after the release of a hard-hitting film, Balibo, which shows the five being murdered by Indonesian troops. |
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Indonesia had been "surprised" by the police decision but played down talk of a rift. | Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Indonesia had been "surprised" by the police decision but played down talk of a rift. |
"I believe we can manage these challenges," he told Australian broadcaster ABC. | "I believe we can manage these challenges," he told Australian broadcaster ABC. |
"There are bumps in the road with most relationships around the world and I think we'll have to manage this one as well." | "There are bumps in the road with most relationships around the world and I think we'll have to manage this one as well." |
Indonesia invaded East Timor after the territory descended into civil war following the end of Portuguese colonial rule. | Indonesia invaded East Timor after the territory descended into civil war following the end of Portuguese colonial rule. |
At least 100,000 people are believed to have died as a result of Indonesia's 25-year occupation. East Timor achieved formal independence in 2002. | At least 100,000 people are believed to have died as a result of Indonesia's 25-year occupation. East Timor achieved formal independence in 2002. |
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