DATE=2/16/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N / INDONESIA (L)
NUMBER=2-259206
BYLINE=GARY THOMAS
DATELINE=JAKARTA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan has voiced strong
support for the political and economic reforms in
Indonesia. Mr. Annan -- who met Indonesian President
Abdurrahman Wahid Wednesday -- praised the government's
efforts to assert civilian control over the military. VOA
correspondent Gary Thomas reports from Jakarta.
TEXT: The U-N Secretary General gave the new government of
President Abdurrahman Wahid high marks for its efforts at
reform. Speaking after his meeting with the Indonesian
president, Mr. Annan singled out the difficult task of
reining in Indonesia's powerful military establishment.
// ANNAN ACT //
The government has given me a clear impression that it is
committed to reform. And I think the signs are all around
us, and serious efforts are being made to transform this
society. And here I'm not only talking on the economic and
financial aspects, but on the military aspects. For the
first time in many decades, the civilian authority over the
military is being asserted, as is the case in any normal,
democratic society. And I think this is important.
// END ACT //
Mr. Annan also counseled patience, however, at the pace of
reform.
// ANNAN ACT //
Obviously, any major transformation of the kind we are
witnessing here is going to take time. And we need to be
patient and not look for rapid results overnight. And I
think with that spirit and that support, I think the
changes that President Wahid and his government are trying
to bring about will succeed.
// END ACT //
Earlier this month, a special commission implicated 33
officers -- including the former armed forces chief,
General Wiranto -- in the violence that erupted in East
Timor after it voted for independence from Indonesia.
General Wiranto was suspended from his post as security
minister pending further investigation.
A special U-N panel recommended establishing a special
international war crimes tribunal for East Timor. Mr.
Annan reiterated that there will be no need for such a
tribunal if Indonesia aggressively prosecutes the cases.
Asked if he had given assurances to General Wiranto of a
pardon if he is found guilty - as he earlier said he would
do -- President Wahid said any decisions on a pardon would
be made after the trial.
// WAHID ACT //
Between friends, there is no need for assurances, as long
as we work in the right way, in the right manner. That
means we will prosecute those involved and then later the
decision will tell us what to do.
// END ACT //
Mr. Annan said discussions with the president and defense
minister also touched on the safe return to East Timor of
people who fled the violence.
On Thursday, Mr. Annan is to travel to East Timor, which is
under control of an interim U-N administration. (SIGNED)
NEB/GPT/FC
16-Feb-2000 03:49 AM EDT (16-Feb-2000 0849 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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