HL Deb 16 December 1992 vol 541 cc36-7WA
Lord Rea

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have any information on the conditions under which Xanana Gusmao, the East Timorese resistance leader captured by Indonesian forces on 20th November and members of his family are being detained; whether they will press for the International Committee of the Red Cross to have access to him and the detained members of his family; and whether they will urge his release in time to take part in the UN-sponsored talks on the future of East Timor to be held in New York on 17th December.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The Indonesian authorities have given assurances, in response to recent representations by Her Majesty's Government and the EC about Xanana Gusmao and the need for easy and regular ICRC access, that he and his family and associates arrested subsequently will not be mistreated. The International Committee of the Red Cross was given access to Xanana Gusmao earlier this month.

It is for Portugal and Indonesia, together with the United Nations Secretary General, to decide participation in the forthcoming talks in New York.

Lord Rea

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they accept the allegations that the TV broadcast by Xanana Gusmao apparently agreeing to Indonesia's annexation of East Timor was extracted under torture or threat of torture.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We have no evidence to support such allegations.