Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Tuesday expressed “deep regret” for the murder, rape and torture of civilians during East Timor’s 1999 independence vote but stopped short of issuing an official apology.

His comments mark the first time Indonesia has ever accepted responsibility on behalf of members of its army, police force and civilian government, who helped pro-Indonesia militia carry out a murderous campaign ahead of the vote, leaving up to 1,500 people dead.