DATE=2/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA-INDONESIA-HUMAN RIGHTS (L-O)
NUMBER=2-258664
BYLINE=STEPHANIE HO
DATELINE=BEIJING
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: China says it opposes establishment of a
United Nations tribunal to investigate allegations of
Indonesian human rights atrocities in East Timor. V-
O-A's Stephanie Ho reports from Beijing.
TEXT: China consistently rejects international
criticism of its own human rights record, as
interference in its internal affairs. Similarly, it
does not support international efforts to point
accusing fingers at other countries.
On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu
Bangzao made clear his country's opposition to the
establishment of a U-N tribunal to investigate human
rights abuses in East Timor.
// ZHU INTERPRETER ACT //
China and most nations in Asia are opposed to the
establishment of such tribunal, U-N tribunal.
// END ACT //
Mr. Zhu said China is satisfied with an Indonesian
government investigation that is still continuing.
// ZHU INTERPRETER ACT //
We have also taken note of the fact that the
Indonesian government has established an investigation
committee on the human rights situation in East Timor
and the relevant investigation is still going on.
// END ACT //
U-N investigators have called for an international
tribunal for members of Indonesia's army allegedly
involved in a campaign of killings, rape and other
atrocities in East Timor.
The worst violence in East Timor took place last
September, to protest a U-N-organized referendum in
which voters overwhelmingly chose independence from
Indonesia. The United Nations is now administering
the former Portuguese colony that Indonesia invaded in
1975.
Meantime, a thaw is apparent in the once-frosty ties
between Indonesia and China. Indonesian president
Abdurrahman Wahid made China the destination of his
first official trip, in December.
And, when Chinese New Year rolls around this Saturday,
ethnic Chinese in Indonesia will be allowed to
publicly celebrate it - for the first time in more
than 30 years. (SIGNED)
NEB/HO/FC
01-Feb-2000 05:33 AM EDT (01-Feb-2000 1033 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
