Alatas visits Holland

Alatas visits Holland

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali
Alatas and his Dutch counterpart Hans van Mierlo had a three-hour
meeting in The Hague on Monday, at which they discussed a host of
issues, including human rights and the coming Asian-European
Meeting.

According to Alatas, his visit is part of an agreement, made
during Queen Beatrix's trip to Indonesia last year, to the effect
that both foreign ministers would increase consultations.

"There was nothing particular to discuss. We had a general
exchange of views on bilateral, regional and inter-regional
issues," Alatas said, as quoted by Antara.

Alatas said Mierlo welcomed Jakarta's intention to establish
technical cooperation with the Human Rights Center in Geneva.

He explained that while the Netherlands does not support
Indonesia on the question of East Timor, it has not sought to
complicate matters or corner Indonesia on the issue.

Alatas further noted that both he and Mierlo did not expect
too much from the coming meeting of Asian and European heads of
state in Bangkok on March 1-2.

"The summit should be seen as the beginning of an important
and continuing process," Alatas opined. (mds)