INDONESIA: JAKARTA: GUSMAO FREED (2)

(7 Sep 1999) Eng/Indonesian
Timorese rebel leader Xanana Gusmao was freed from detention by Indonesian authorities at the Justice Ministry in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The Justice Minister and a representative from the U-N both expressed hope that Gusmao can help calm the situation in East Timor.
Gusmao pledged to do his best to help end the violence, which has left the territory in savage chaos over the past few days.
Anxious last moments for Xanana Gusmao as he waited for seven years of imprisonment to end.
Heavily guarded by Indonesian soldiers and surrounded by the media, he left his house in Jakarta in the mid-morning to be granted his release and amnesty.
Negotiations for his release had intensified as it is hoped he will be able to help calm down the situation in East Timor.
Gusmao has become the de facto leader of the independence movement there.
The territory voted overwhelmingly to separate from Indonesia in a consultation vote administered by the U-N last week.
Since the result was announced there has been chaos in the capital, Dili, and reports of fighting and massacres across the island.
Gusmao appeared to be in a jovial mood as he prepared for the big step toward freedom in the morning.
Friends and comrades took pictures and exchanged gifts, as he was not
expected to return to the house he has been detained in.
Security is a large concern, and he is expected to leave Indonesia soon.
Supporters outside his house were obviously pleased, and expressed hope that he could bring peace to East Timor.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think Xanana maybe he can solve may problems in East Timor now."
SUPER CAPTION: Hugo Fernandez, Gusmao Supporter
SOUNDBITE: (Bahasa Indonesia)
"Xanana is the key to our ability to separate from Indonesia and settle with the pro- integration people. We already received the result of the vote last week. With the release of Xanana we think that he will help East Timor immensely, especially concerning the safety of the East Timorese people."
SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop, Jose Gusmao Supporter
There had been widespread speculation that Gusmao would go straight to the territory to try and mediate a ceasefire.
But concerns for his own personal security will prevent that.
He fought the Indonesian military for 17 years before being arrested and will not be trusting them to provide protection for a return to East Timor.
Many of his aides do not feel he is even safe in Jakarta.
At the Justice Ministry, he signed the official release document which would make him a free man.
Justice Minister Muladi said he hoped Gusmao would stay in Indonesia so that he could help stop the fighting in East Timor.
SOUNDBITE: (Bahasa Indonesian)
"We hope Xanana will be able to contribute his active participation in bringing about a long term peace to the situation in East Timor. "
SUPER CAPTION: Justice Minister Muladi
The two men exchanged gifts and afterwards, Gusmao and the U-N representative Samuel Tamrat held a new conference.
Tamrat is the senior political affairs official for the U-N team that conducted the Aug. 30 referendum which resulted in a landslide in favor of independence.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"As a free man I will do everything to bring peace to East Timor, and to my people. Thank you very much."
SUPERCAPTION: Xanana Gusmao, East Timorese rebel leader
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We hope in the near future Mr Gusmao will be able to return to his homeland, and actively contribute to the resolution of the problem, and of the establishment of security and reconciliation."
SUPERCAPTION: Samuel Tamrat, U-N representative

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