Albright and Alwi discuss Maluku, E. Timor troubles
Albright and Alwi discuss Maluku, E. Timor troubles
BANGKOK (JP): Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab and
United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright met here on
Saturday to discuss the troubles in Maluku and the situation in
East Timor.
Albright said afterwards that the discussions had included
economic restructuring, regional conflict and sectarian violence
-- "most notably that in Maluku".
She said Alwi had talked about removing troublemakers in
Maluku out of the area.
Albright added that Washington "would look at how the
international community could be of assistance" in ending the
violence in the Maluku islands.
She did not elaborate, but Alwi indicated later that Indonesia
was looking for humanitarian and financial assistance in
resolving the conflict.
In his explanation to journalists, Alwi referred time and time
again to the "financial consequences" of the government's actions
in trying to resolve the matter.
"We would like to transform the destructive elements (in
Maluku) into positive elements through employment of course,"
Alwi said.
"Before that, reconciliation has to be achieved, and before
reconciliation is achieved, the troublemakers have to be removed,
and of course we will need every possible assistance," he said,
stressing that Indonesia would not accept military assistance.
Alwi pointed out that the achievement of these objectives
"implies financial consequences".
"All this has been discussed with Madeleine Albright and the
United States is more than willing to provide assistance
according to the Indonesian proposal," he said.
Alwi conceded that some elements of the military might be
involved as provocateurs in the Maluku violence.
"Yes, of course. As you are aware a small element of the
military is involved," he said.
Alwi said the government was taking steps to remove military
elements perceived to be backing a certain side in the conflict,
but added that this also had "financial consequences".
"If you are removing or getting 10,000 people from one place
to another you need logistics," he said.
Commenting on the overall situation in Indonesia, Albright
said she had reviewed the considerable progress made in the
country.
"I reiterated U.S. support for the country's democratic
transition and our desire to help Indonesia's people during this
challenging period," Albright said.
"We also discussed the problems in East Timor including the
need to resolve the refugee issue".
On the East Timor refugee situation, Alwi said he had
discussed with Albright along with his Canadian, New Zealand,
Japanese and Australian counterparts on the need for
international political will to resolve the situation of the
refugee camps in Indonesia's West Timor.
He stressed the necessity of ensuring a conducive climate
which would ensure East Timor itself was ready to receive the
refugees back; and the need to create a situation where the
refugees would recognize that they could attain the same
facilities in East Timor as they do in camps in West Timor.
"If it is agreed by the international community that it can be
easily done (repatriating the refugees). But right now there is
no concrete agreement as regards to the appropriate preparations
in East Timor to receive them (the refugees) back," he said.
If there is an agreement and political will to do so,
Indonesia could then easily close the camps on its side of the
border.
According to Alwi, his counterparts had responded positively
to this proposal.
"They will conduct planning to see how this idea can be
implemented in the near future," said Alwi, who was with other
Asia-Pacific foreign ministers to attend a series of security
dialogs under the aegis of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations that ended Saturday. (mds)