NUSA DUA -Indonesia and East Timor yesterday expressed regret for violence surrounding Dili's 1999 independence vote after a joint investigation blamed state institutions for "gross human rights violations".
The report by the Commission of Truth and Friendship (CTF) went further than many had expected in blaming Indonesian security forces for the mayhem, although Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono stopped short of an apology.
The two governments set up the CTF in 2005 to look into the violence, during which the United Nations estimates about 1,000 East Timorese died. It has no power to prosecute, however, prompting criticism that it serves to whitewash atrocities. It has been boycotted by the UN.
"On behalf of Indonesia and the East Timor governments, we convey deep regret to all parties and victims, who directly or indirectly suffered physical and psychological wounds after serious human rights violations that occurred ahead of and soon after a ballot for independence in East Timor in 1999," the countries said in a joint statement.
The statement came after the truth commission submitted its report on the violence to Mr Yudhoyono, East Timor president José Ramos-Horta and East Timor prime minister Xanana Gusmao in Bali.
"We convey very deep regret at what happened in the past that has caused the loss of lives and property," said Mr Yudhoyono, who shook the hands of Mr Ramos-Horta and Mr Gusmao, and promised that Indonesia would continue to reform its security forces.
Indonesian security and civilian forces had a major role in systematic widespread "gross human rights violations", while a small number of East Timor's pro-independence groups also played minor parts in the violence, the report said.
These violations included murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence, torture and illegal detention, it said.
Mr Ramos-Horta, in a black suit with a Mandarin-style collar, said he understood the strains on the Indonesian security forces.
"Expecting a security force to behave with absolute neutrality and without emotions in providing security for the popular consultation was unrealistic given that these forces lost many of their men in East Timor," he said.
The commission said civilian officials provided funding and weapons to militia groups to intimidate, threaten and force people to vote for integration with Indonesia.
The report did not name perpetrators, but also did not recommend an amnesty.
Several Indonesian military officials were tried in Indonesian human rights courts following the 1999 violence, but none were convicted.
Human rights activists said the two governments must continue the judicial process to try the perpetrators. - (Reuters)