THE government on Saturday urged for an end to the violence in East Timor and for the overwhelming vote for independence from Jakarta to be respected. “The South African government calls on all the people of East Timor to respect and abide by the outcome of the referendum and to act with utmost restraint,” a statement from the foreign ministry said. “All parties now have an historic opportunity to bring about a successful and lasting conclusion to the long-standing issue of East Timor,” it said.