Minister's hopes of Timor solution

DUBLIN - Portugal's Foreign Minister, Mr Jaime Jose Matos da Gama, has asserted the need to apply the same principles of democracy…

DUBLIN - Portugal's Foreign Minister, Mr Jaime Jose Matos da Gama, has asserted the need to apply the same principles of democracy and human rights to East Timor as those being applied in Bosnia, reports David Shanks.

Expressing optimism yesterday during his visit to Ireland that a solution would be found in East Timor, Portugal's former colony invaded in 1975 by Indonesia, he pointed to a joint EU position on the issue, which had been agreed but not formally adopted.

The Minister met the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, and the Tanaiste, Mr Spring, with whom he discussed EU enlargement among other matters.