Irian Jaya, E. Timor different: Downer<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer
\nmaintained yesterday that the problems surrounding Irian Jaya
\ncould not be paralleled to the issue of East Timor.<\/p>\n
\"It's a vast leap of logic to suggest that the unfortunate
\nincidents and political environment in Irian Jaya have the same
\npolitical environment as East Timor. I don't think you could
\nautomatically draw that conclusion,\" he said in response to
\nquestions at a news briefing here yesterday.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that the socioeconomic structure and history of
\nIrian Jaya was quite different from East Timor.<\/p>\n
The two provinces were recently rocked by proindependence
\ndemonstrations and riots.<\/p>\n
A clash between student demonstrators and security forces in
\nJayapura, Irian Jaya, on Friday resulted in the death of one
\nintelligence officer and left two students in critical condition
\nafter being shot.<\/p>\n
A week earlier in East Timor, one man was shot dead when a mob
\nattacked a van of security officers who were accompanying a
\nEuropean Union delegation.<\/p>\n
Downer said that in his meeting with President B.J. Habibie
\nearlier yesterday he had expressed Australia's deep concern over
\nthe recent shooting incidents in both provinces.<\/p>\n
The former Portuguese colony of East Timor was integrated as
\nIndonesia's 27th province in 1976. The United Nations, however,
\ndoes not recognize it.<\/p>\n
Australia has officially recognized the integration.<\/p>\n
A small group of separatists on the tiny province continues to
\nsurvive, while abroad there is an active East Timor lobby.<\/p>\n
Irian Jaya on the other hand has not been an international
\nissue as Dutch colonial forces handed the territory to Indonesia
\nin 1963 following a UN referendum.<\/p>\n
However, a small band of separatists called the Free Papua
\nMovement continues to roam the area.<\/p>\n
Dialog<\/p>\n
Downer hailed yesterday new steps taken by the Indonesian
\ngovernment to help solve the East Timor issue, saying they were
\nin line with his country's policies.<\/p>\n
He said he felt that Habibie was committed to keeping his
\npledge for special autonomy status and a gradual pullout of
\ntroops from East Timor.<\/p>\n
\"Australia has called for a long time ... that the military
\npresence in East Timor should be reduced and there be a greater
\ndegree of autonomy in East Timor,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said Australia also advocated the principle of \"the people
\nof East Timor having a greater say in their own affairs\", and for
\nbetter respect of human rights.<\/p>\n
\"The President clearly has a commitment to do those things,
\nand in particular he discussed with me his meeting with Bishop
\nBelo, and regarded that meeting with Belo ... as a very important
\nstep forward,\" he said, referring to the recent meeting between
\nHabibie and Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo.<\/p>\n
He said Australia would continue to provide financial
\nassistance to the province and to the rest of the country.<\/p>\n
\"We have provided East Timor A$38 million in financial
\nassistance and plan to send an additional $24 million,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Australia has also granted financial aid to Irian Jaya, East
\nand West Nusa Tenggara and Kalimantan, which were facing food
\nshortages because of a prolonged drought in the region.<\/p>\n
Downer, who arrived here Wednesday for a three-day visit, is
\nscheduled to meet with Indonesian Armed Forces Commander Gen.
\nWiranto today before leaving for home this evening. (rms)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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