JOSE RAMOS-HORTA

October 25, 1996
		Jose Ramos-Horta, exiled East Timorese resistance leader and 1996 Nobel Peace Prize recipient, responds to viewer questions and comments.

Forum introduction Can Western human rights concerns overcome commercial interests? What is the motivation behind Indonesia's interest in East Timor? How can you capitalize on the attention the Nobel Prize has brought? How can you convince Indonesia to pull out? How would an independent East Timor support itself? Are the East Timorese committed to democracy? Was East Timor a part of pre-colonial Indonesia?   Online NewsHour Special Report: The Crisis in East Timor Online Backgrounder: Behind East Timor's conflict with Indonesia. Nov. 13, 1996: A discussion with Jose Ramos-Horta. Oct. 11, 1996: Two East Timorese dissidents win the Nobel Peace Prize. Browse the NewsHour's coverage of Asia.

Ron Sheen of Perth, Western Australia asks: How would the East Timorese expect to support themselves as an independent nation if the Indonesians pulled out? Would East Timor depend on outside aid or could they have a sustainable development' self supporting economy?   Jose Ramos-Horta responds: Let me quote some lines we wrote a few years back. East Timor is potentially self-sufficient in most agricultural goods, meat and fish. It has large oil reserves and other minerals. After independence, economic resources will be channeled into food production for the population. Government policies will be a result of close consultation with the people in each region, town and village. The cooperation of U.N. Specialized Agencies will be sought. A reforestation program to save the badly damaged environment will be launched together with international bodies. International partnership in mineral explorations such as oil will be sought. However, the environment must not be sacrificed for short term gains. The 'Timor Gap Treaty' will be looked at, clarification sought, and renegotiated. The sea boundary dispute will have to be settled through an international tribunal.