The president was very open, ... He and a lot of people want to find a solution.

Clearly our intention is to proceed. At this point I have no intention to recommend to the secretary-general that we back off.

For the moment, all I can say is that I'm greatly encouraged by what the president has told me, greatly encouraged by his far-seeing attitude, his humanitarianism, his sense of dedication and purpose.

Clearly, it's not possible to hold these consultations in an atmosphere charged with fighting. That has to stop. And that's a prerequisite. It's something that we've told all sides, and in particular to the Indonesian government.

We'll have to have a U.N. presence there as soon as possible. That is our intention.

We are not going to allow this to knock us off- track.