UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special envoy for East Timor yesterday met the jailed resistance leader Mr Xanana Gusmao, who has signalled he would accept an Indonesian offer of autonomy as a step towards self-determination.
Speaking to journalists after the 80-minute meeting in Jakarta's Cipinang prison, the envoy, Mr Jamsheed Marker, said Mr Xanana pledged his support "for the continuation of these negotiations [between Jakarta and Lisbon on autonomy for East Timor] and this process," Mr Marker said.
Mr Xanana, who is serving a 20year term for plotting against the state, rebellion and illegal possession of weapons, has been seen by many since the fall of former Indonesian president Suharto as potentially playing a "Nelson Mandela" role in East Timor.
Meanwhile, one man was killed and about 150 injured when security forces fired shots and tear-gas to disperse thousands of students rallying near the Indonesian parliament yesterday, witnesses and a hospital employee said.
The man, whose identity was not immediately known, was among more than 25 people admitted to the Mintoharjo navy hospital from the site of the clash but he died before receiving treatment, a hospital official said. Troops and police first fired warning shots, then what were apparently rubber bullets, as well as tear-gas to disperse the protesters, who had forced their way through a security cordon.