Howard urges progress on E. Timor, promises aid<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Australian Prime Minister John Howard touched on
\nthe East Timor issue during his talks with President Soeharto
\nyesterday, urging progress from dialog and greater control for
\nthe East Timorese over their own affairs.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's Minister\/State Secretary Moerdiono said Howard did
\nnot specifically raise the issue of human rights.<\/p>\n
Speaking after the meeting between the two leaders, Moerdiono
\nsaid Howard expressed hope that the ongoing process on East Timor
\nwould "produce the best results for all parties".<\/p>\n
Separately, Howard told journalists that Australia's stance on
\nthe issue had not changed but hoped progress could be made.<\/p>\n
"I indicated to the President that whilst Australia
\nrecognized, and had for a long time been consistent with
\nrecognition of Indonesian sovereignty over East Timor, it would
\nbe desirable... that further progress in the area of dialog and
\ngreater control over their own affairs, was made in relation to
\nEast Timor," Howard said in a press conference yesterday.<\/p>\n
When asked how Soeharto responded, Howard replied: "I think he
\ntook on board what I had to say about that... I wasn't expecting
\nany substantive response at this time."<\/p>\n
Howard arrived here for a two-day working visit on Tuesday.
\nThis is his second visit here since becoming prime minister last
\nyear. Soeharto has not visited Australia since 1974.<\/p>\n
Australia fully recognizes the integration of East Timor as
\nIndonesia's 27th province.<\/p>\n
As close neighbors, Jakarta and Canberra have frequently held
\nconsultative meetings with each other.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's meeting was dominated by talks on the current
\nfinancial crisis hitting various Southeast Asian countries
\nincluding Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Howard affirmed Australia's commitment to help Indonesia
\nthrough the International Monetary Fund.<\/p>\n
Another issue which came up during the talks yesterday was the
\n1989 Timor Gap Treaty.<\/p>\n
The treaty divides the 61,000 square kilometer stretch of sea
\nbetween East Timor and Australia. It is believed to contain huge
\noil and gas reserves.<\/p>\n
Moerdiono said the two leaders had committed their ministers
\nto resolve any possible disagreements concerning the treaty.<\/p>\n
Howard, on the other hand, said issues regarding the Timor Gap
\nTreaty would be discussed by ministers in Cairns, Australia, next
\nmonth.<\/p>\n
Howard also announced yesterday that Australia would be
\nopening six new honorary consulates in Kupang, East Nusa
\nTenggara; Surabaya, East Java; Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi;
\nMedan, North Sumatra; Balikpapan, East Kalimantan and Ambon,
\nMaluku.<\/p>\n
It was hoped that the presence of these new consulates would
\nfurther boost trade and investment.<\/p>\n
During the meeting Soeharto also thanked Australia for
\nproviding A$2 million and water bombers to help fight the raging
\nforest fires in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"The President expressed his gratitude for Australian
\nassistance to extinguish fires in the forest and peat lands,"
\nMoerdiono remarked.<\/p>\n
Howard left Jakarta yesterday evening to return home.
\n(prb\/10\/42)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/howard-urges-progress-on-e-timor-promises-aid-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}