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.