DATE=9/29/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-S - INDONESIA (S&L)
NUMBER=2-254485
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=NEW YORK
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States and Indonesia disagree over
the seriousness of the refugee situation spawned by
the crisis in East Timor, as well as the need for a
United Nations commission of inquiry to examine human
rights violations there. Correspondent Nick Simeone
reports Secretary of State Madeleine Albright had what
was described as an intense meeting on East Timor with
Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas in New York
Wednesday.
TEXT: Indonesia continues to believe the refugee
situation in West Timor is not as serious as others,
including the United States, say it is.
/// OPT FOR LONG ///
On a recent trip to the region, Assistant Secretary of
State for refugees Julia Taft found pro-Indonesia
militias colluding with Indonesian troops in
intimidating refugees and preventing aid from getting
to people who need it. But after Secretary Albright's
meeting with her Indonesian counterpart, a senior US
official told reporters Ali Alatas rejected that
assessment, saying reports he has received indicate
the situation is not as bad as the United States and
others describe.
/// END OPT ///
U-S officials are warning Indonesia it risks losing
American aid and investment if it does not protect
refugees in areas under its control. Washington
plans to send another envoy back to the region within
days to reassess the refugee situation.
Both governments also disagree on who should conduct
an investigation into reports of widespread atrocities
following East Timor's August 30th referendum on
independence. During their Wednesday meeting,
Secretary Albright urged the Indonesian Foreign
Minister to reconsider his government's rejection of a
United Nations inquiry. The Jakarta government
maintains it is capable of conducting an investigation
on its own.
/// OPT FOR LONG ///
But U-S officials say the United Nations inquiry will
go forward, and that Indonesia would not be able to
stop investigators from going to East Timor since any
U-N team could enter the region from Darwin, Australia
- the same place from which international peace
keepers went in. (SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/TVM/gm
29-Sep-1999 19:15 PM EDT (29-Sep-1999 2315 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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