Estrada to Timor leaders: Be careful with your charter

President Estrada gave "unsolicited advice" yesterday to two visiting East Timorese leaders in the matter of setting up their country's constitution, reminding them "to be careful in including in the provisions a restriction on foreign investments."

The President gave the advice during a 40-minute meeting with Xanana Gusmao and Jose Ramos-Horta, who have been touring Asian countries seeking financial assistance for their country's recovery from the devastation at the hands of pro-Indonesian militias.

They arrived in Manila on Friday for a four-day visit.

Gusmao was leader of the East Timorese armed resistance group and jailed for seven years. Ramos-Horta, an independence activist, won the Nobel Peace prize in 1996.

Mr. Estrada advised the visitors against restrictions on foreign participation in the plan to draft a constitution for East Timor, Press Secretary Rodolfo Reyes said.

Gusmao and Ramos-Horta answered that they support an open market system, according to Reyes.

The President has been pushing for the removal of restrictions in the 1987 Constitution on foreign investments, which he says are stunting economic growth.

Mr. Estrada also advised the two East Timorese leaders to make sure their economy is strong before the administration of the territory by the United Nations (UN) ends.

"Before the umbilical cord with the UN is cut, I think you should really make sure your economy is in place," Reyes quoted Mr. Estrada as telling Gusmao and Ramos-Horta.

The President also opened the doors of Philippine schools to students from East Timor to help the former Indonesian territory rebuild.

"The Philippines is willing to commit to the human resource development, especially in the area of education, for the East Timorese people," Reyes said. "As far as these areas are concerned, the President said the Philippines can really help them."

Gusmao and Ramos-Horta had asked for assistance in training East Timor's human resources, noting that the Philippines has "a very good education system."

Aside from taking traditional courses, East Timorese students will be able to enroll in short courses on fish farming and agriculture, Reyes pointed out. Philippine experts also may be sent to East Timor.

Gusmao and Ramos-Horta also invited the President to visit East Timor.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon, who attended the meeting, told the two visitors that the government would consider the invitation, which would be a good opportunity for Mr. Estrada to check on the situation of more than 600 Filipino troops there.

Gusmao and Ramos-Horta thanked Mr. Estrada for deploying Philippine troops to the UN-sponsored peacekeeping force, which is headed by Lt. Gen. Jaime de los Santos, a former superintendent of the Philippine Military Academy.

During their stay in the country, Gusmao and Ramos-Horta are also set to meet with Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Angelo Reyes to discuss possible assistance to East Timor.

"I am sure there will be points of mutual interest, particularly on the transition to a purely autonomous structure in East Timor," Reyes said in an interview.