23 April 1999: D. Budiman to Raymond Chan

Indonesian ambassador D. Budiman wrote to Chan to pass along news of an agreement not to use force in East Timor and to agree with one aspect of a Canadian press release while taking issue with others. Though couched in friendly terms, there is clear evidence of disagreement – and Canada was not among the countries that Indonesia was inviting to take part in the planned popular consultation that would allow the Timorese to accept or reject autonomy under Indonesian rule. In sum the letter indicates that Canada and Indonesia were attempting to remain on good terms and agreed on some aspects, but that there was a gap between them which had not existed before 1998. A slightly shorter letter also went to Lloyd Axworthy.