Aussie defers finance forum over East Timor<\/p>\n
DARWIN, Australia (Reuters): Ongoing strife in East Timor has
\nled to the postponement of an East Asian investment conference in
\nAustralia, which has seen its relations with Asian neighbors
\ndeteriorate over its military role in the crisis.<\/p>\n
The Northern Territory\/Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines-
\nEast ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Finance and Investment
\nConference had been set for Oct. 27-28 in the northern Australian
\ncity of Darwin.<\/p>\n
It has been deferred until at least May 2000, Australia's
\nNorthern Territory government announced on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
"In view of the unforeseen developments in the region, it is
\nconsidered that to host a regional conference in October is
\ninappropriate," the Northern Territory's trade department said in
\na statement.<\/p>\n
It said deteriorating relations between Australia and
\nIndonesia over East Timor had been a factor in deferring the
\nconference.<\/p>\n
"The East Timor situation is still very volatile, relations
\nwith Indonesia equally so," the statement said.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for Northern Territory Chief Minister Denis Burke
\nsaid he did not know whether Indonesia had said it would not
\nattend the conference.<\/p>\n
"As far as I know it was just decided that due to the
\ncircumstances it was appropriate to defer the conference," the
\nspokesman told Reuters.<\/p>\n
Australia is leading a U.N.-backed multinational force to
\nrestore order in devastated East Timor. Its role there has put it
\nseriously at odds with Indonesia and Malaysia, while it has also
\nbeen criticized by China.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has accused Australia of overreacting to the crisis.<\/p>\n
Jakarta has delayed the posting of a new ambassador to
\nCanberra and said it would help Indonesian firms that decide to
\nshun Australian imports.<\/p>\n
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad last week accused
\nAustralian troops of being heavy handed and called for their
\nnumbers in the U.N. operation to be cut.<\/p>\n
Darwin is being used as a staging point by the United Nations
\nand aid and humanitarian agencies operating in East Timor.<\/p>\n
"Darwin has been the focus of considerable activity over the
\nlast few weeks," the government said.<\/p>\n
"The re-establishment of stability is crucial to restoring the
\nNT\/BIMP-EAGA initiative and the long term economic success of the
\nregion," it said.<\/p>\n
The Northern Territory government said an APEC annual meeting
\nwas still set for Darwin in mid-2000.<\/p>\n
BIMP-EAGA was set up in 1994 as a regional economic
\ncooperation forum. It was established as an industry-driven body
\nthat aimed to work with the governments of member countries to
\nstimulate regional development.<\/p>",
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