Bali, Indonesia - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed regret Tuesday but stopped short of apologizing for the violence that accompanied East Timor's UN-sponsored independence vote in 1999.

"We convey very deep regret of what happened in the past that has caused the loss of lives and property," Yudhoyono said after receiving a report of a truth inquiry which blames Jakarta for crimes against humanity during East Timor's independence vote nearly a decade ago.

"The government of Indonesia will immediately study and follow up the finding," he said.

Yudhoyono and his East Timorese counterpart, Jose Ramos-Horta, were on the Indonesian resort island of Bali to formally receive the long-awaited report of the Commission of Truth and Friendship, investigating the violence in East Timor before, during and after the vote for independence in 1999.

The 321-page report, leaked to international media last week, blames Indonesia for a coordinated campaign of violence, including murder, rape and tortures against Timorese civilians. It recommends both presidents apologize to the victims of the mayhem.

The report says the gross human rights abuses were supported, funded and armed by Indonesia's military and police as well as government officials. East Timor was blamed for illegally detaining anti-independence supporters.

More than 1,000 people were killed when militia gangs, backed by the Indonesian military and police, embarked on a scorched-earth policy of murder, burning and looting, and forcibly evacuating hundreds of thousands East Timorese residents to West Timor.

Previously, Indonesia has consistently denied any role in the mayhem. Several senior Indonesian army and police generals have been acquitted of any involvement in the violence in trials in Indonesia, and the Jakarta government refused to hand over any suspects to a UN-run tribunal in East Timor.

The commission was established by both presidents in an effort to repair relations. Without the power to recommend prosecutions, it was designed to head off calls for Indonesian officials to be prosecuted for war crimes.

Indonesia invaded the former Portuguese colony East Timor in 1975. As many as 200,000 civilians are estimated to have died during Indonesia's frequently brutal 24-year occupation of East Timor.

The commission heard testimony from dozens of witnesses, including East Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and Indonesian military officers, including former armed forces commander retired general Wiranto. (dpa)