DATE=9/23/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDONESIA / AUSTRALIA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254241
BYLINE=JEANNE HALLACY
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
// Re-running w/cq cr #. No copy changes
//
INTRO: Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia has
strongly defended his nation's policy toward East
Timor. Jeanne Hallacy reports from Jakarta, the
Australian diplomat's comments come at a time of
mounting criticism in Indonesia over Canberra's
leading role in the United Nations peacekeeping
forces in East Timor.
TEXT: Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia, John
McCarthy says Australia did not have a bias in
favor of independence during last month's
referendum in East Timor and has no strategic or
economic interests in the territory's
independence.
//MCCARTHY ACT//
The reason that Australia argued for a
multinational force was that neither the people
nor the government of Australia could in good
conscience stand aside witnessing the events
which took place in East Timor after the ballot.
By the way, I do not claim to have a monopoly on
outrage. You Indonesians also felt that you had
seen enough.
//END ACT//
Relations between Australia and Indonesia have
deteriorated in recent weeks, as Australian
sharply criticized Indonesia's failure to stop
the violence in East Timor. Anti-Indonesian
protests in Australia added to the break down of
traditionally close ties with Indonesia.
Protestors have gathered almost daily outside the
Australian Embassy in Jakarta and President B-J
Habibie told Members of Parliament Wednesday that
bilateral ties with Australia will be reviewed in
light of events surrounding the troubled Timorese
territory.
Shots were fired at the Australian Embassy in
Jakarta earlier this week and the Indonesian
government suspended a 1995 bilateral defense
cooperation treaty with Canberra.
Ambassador McCarthy Thursday appealed for calm in
both countries.
//MCCARTHY ACT//
Nothing is achieved by these open expressions of
hostility. It is in the interests of both our
countries to cool things down. For our part, we
are doing our best to do the right thing by
Indonesians in Australia.
//END ACT//
Ambassador McCarthy spoke to a gathering of
Indonesian politicians who argued that
Australia's leading role in the United Nations
peacekeeping force had damaged ties between the
two countries. Australia has traditionally had
close relations with Indonesia and was the only
country to recognize Jakarta's sovereignty over
East Timor.
Mr. McCarthy says continued tension is in neither
country's interest and that his government will
try to rebuild its ties with Indonesia. (signed)
NEB/JH/GC/
23-Sep-1999 06:44 AM LOC (23-Sep-1999 1044 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
