Annan hails decision to suspend Wiranto

Annan hails decision to suspend Wiranto

SINGAPORE (Agencies): UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on
Monday welcomed the Indonesian president's decision to suspend
the country's former military chief from the Cabinet as
"positive."

"I'm pleased that the Indonesian government seems determined
to hold those responsible accountable," Annan told reporters on
the second day of his three-day visit to the city-state, as part
of a larger Asian tour.

"What is happening in Indonesia is a very positive process,"
he said.

On Monday, President Abdurrahman Wahid suspended Coordinating
Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen. Wiranto and
instructed government investigators to determine what
responsibility he may bear for last year's violence in East
Timor. The president said the suspension would allow the process
of investigation to proceed fairly.

A separate UN human rights commission also has blamed
Indonesia's top brass for inciting the campaign of violence.

Annan said in a separate news conference that the UN Security
Council would wait and see how the judiciary acts against Wiranto
and other Indonesian military officers who are blamed for the
carnage in East Timor, before it decides whether to appoint any
international tribunal to try them.

"The council, which also has a report, is going to keep an eye
on this process and at this stage it is not going to set up a
tribunal," he said.

"The government of Indonesia has demonstrated its
determination to put those accused on trial. If it does go
through, it will make Indonesia stronger and it will be helpful
for its own legal system."

Human rights groups and East Timor's independence leaders want
the Security Council to set up a tribunal to try those
responsible for the violence.

But Annan, the United States, and other countries have backed
Abdurrahman's position that Indonesia should be allowed to
conduct any trials.

"If they do it, there will be no need for the UN to set up
another tribunal to compete with the one set up by the
government. I'm sure if they do it, the council will conclude
that there is no need for an international tribunal," he said.

Annan leaves for Jakarta Tuesday to meet with Indonesian
leaders before making a trip to East Timor, which has been under
United Nations administration since November.