DATE=2/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N/INDONESIA (L)
NUMBER=2-259162
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan has arrived in
Indonesia on an official visit. The visit comes one day
after President Abdurrahman Wahid suspended his security
minister pending an investigation into his alleged role in
atrocities in East Timor. As VOA correspondent Gary Thomas
reports from Jakarta, the question of accountability for
human rights abuses in East Timor is key issue of the
visit.
TEXT: Justice in East Timor would have been a crucial topic
of Kofi Annan's visit to Indonesia, even without the
suspension of security minister and former armed forces
chief General Wiranto from the Cabinet. But Mr. Annan's
coincidental arrival one day after the highly publicized
suspension ensured that the issue would receive prominent
attention.
General Wiranto is one of the senior officers cited in an
Indonesian Commission report as having condoned human
rights abuses by pro-Jakarta militias after East Timor
voted last August for independence. The president
suspended the general pending the outcome of an
investigation by the Attorney General.
Arriving in Jakarta, Mr. Annan praised what he said is the
Indonesian government's determination to punish those
responsible for human rights abuses in East Timor.
//OPT ANNAN ACT //
I am personally very pleased that the Indonesian government
has taken on the responsibility of ensuring that those
responsible for the atrocities in East Timor will be made
accountable and will be brought to trial. And I think that
process has begun, and we should allow the judicial process
to take its course.
// END OPT ACT //
Indonesian officials say the question of jurisdiction over
those accused of atrocities in East Timor will be discussed
with the secretary-general. In addition to meeting
President Wahid Wednesday, Mr. Annan is also scheduled to
hold talks with Attorney General Marzuki Darusman and
Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab. Mr. Annan will visit East
Timor on Thursday.
The territory is now under control of a U-N interim
administration. A U-N human rights report reached similar
conclusions to those of the Indonesian report, although it
did not name individuals. However, it does recommend
establishment of a special international tribunal to try
alleged human rights abusers in East Timor.
The new, democratically-elected government of Indonesia is
anxious to establish its credibility in human rights, and
is insisting it can try such cases itself. A draft law on
human rights is working its way through the assembly.
Mr. Annan said in Singapore Monday there would be no need
for an international tribunal if Indonesia brought those
responsible to trial.
Meanwhile, Indonesian police Tuesday dispersed a group of
about 100 demonstrators who were protesting U-N involvement
in East Timor. The protestors pelted the Jakarta U-N
building with stones, tomatoes, and eggs. Police said five
people were arrested. (SIGNED)
NEB/GPT/fc
15-Feb-2000 03:19 AM EDT (15-Feb-2000 0819 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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