Canada to help RI promote human rights

Canada to help RI promote human rights

JAKARTA (JP): Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien defended
his policy of close ties with Indonesia yesterday, arguing that
cooperation, not confrontation, would help improve the human
rights situation here.

He insisted that downgrading relations, political and
economic, would obstruct attempts to correct Indonesia's human
rights problems.

"It is participation, to be there, to raise the issue, to help
them to cope with the problem. That's the best way," Chretien
told journalists after witnessing the signing of more than US$2
billion in contracts between Indonesian and Canadian companies.

Chretien is leading a 400-strong delegation, comprised mostly
of business executives, on a three-day visit here as part of a
four-nation tour of Asian countries which include India, Pakistan
and Malaysia.

Though the visit is primarily aimed at drumming up business,
Chretien during his discussion with President Soeharto earlier
yesterday brought up the issue of human rights and East Timor.

"We discussed East Timor, we discussed human rights in
general...It was a problem that was not avoided," the prime
minister said.

Separately, Minister/Secretary of State Moerdiono said
Chretien and Soeharto delved into human rights issues. "The
president said Indonesia gives special attention to the
enforcement of human rights," Moerdiono said of the morning's
meeting at Merdeka Palace.

Canada has been one of the most vocal critics of Indonesia's
human rights record. Following the incident on Nov. 12, 1991, in
which over 50 people were killed in clashes between demonstrators
and security officials, Ottawa froze a number of its aid projects
to Indonesia.

However, Chretien said that much progress has been made in the
field of human rights in the past few years. "This country is
opening up, the situation has improved, they have the human
rights commission," he said.

In a statement, he lauded Indonesia's National Commission on
Human Rights Commission and said Canada will assist the
commission in its ability to promote and protect human rights.

Ottawa has allocated over $220,000 for the project, which will
involve the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

The assistance will include training in the monitoring of
human rights issues, education and the development of a human
rights study center.

Later yesterday evening during a dinner reception at the State
Palace, President Soeharto welcomed the initiative.

"We deeply appreciate the cooperation between the two
countries' human rights commissions," Soeharto said in his
address.

Chretien is scheduled to open the Canadian Education Center at
the World Trade Center this morning before departing for Kuala
Lumpur in the afternoon. (mds)