Canadian minister praises human rights commission

JAKARTA (JP): Canadian Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific Affairs, Raymond Chan, yesterday praised Jakarta's move to establish the National Commission for Human Rights, but also noted that Indonesia could improve its handling of East Timor issues.

"In general terms we feel that Indonesia could have made some improvement in dealing with the East Timor issues," Chan said after meeting with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas yesterday.

Chan, who arrived Monday night for a four-day visit, did not elaborate on his remark but confirmed that the East Timor issue was discussed.

Canada was one of the first of a few Western countries to briefly freeze financial aid to Indonesia in reaction to the 1991 Dili incident in which over 50 civilians were killed in a clash between demonstrators and security forces.

The former Portuguese colony of East Timor was integrated as part of Indonesia in 1976. However, the United Nations still recognizes Lisbon as the administrating power there.

On the issue of human rights, Chan commended the creation and work of the National Commission for Human Rights.

"I think Indonesia has made great advances in establishing the human rights commission," he said of the 25-person commission established in 1993.

"The human rights commission has achieved a lot beyond our expectation," he added as he left the foreign ministry building to have lunch with members of the Commission.

Apart from discussing bilateral issues, Chan revealed that the major objective of his trip to Indonesia was to prepare a planned visit by the Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien early next year.

Chretien last visited Indonesian in November to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Leaders meeting.

While in Jakarta, Chan is scheduled to sign a project on pensions, insurance and non-tax revenues with Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad.

Chan will also tour the National Atomic Agency and take a one- day trip to Surabaya.(mds)