EU urges peace in RI

EU urges peace in RI

BRUSSELS (AFP): The European Union encouraged Indonesia on
Monday to "resolve peacefully" its many internal conflicts, in a
statement adopted by EU foreign ministers that also called for
closer European ties with Southeast Asia's biggest nation.

Underlining what it called "the strategic importance of a
strong, democratic, united and prosperous Indonesia," the 15-
nation club of rich European states "expressed concern" at
developments in the country.

It urged Jakarta to press ahead with "governance reform" and
strengthening democracy and human rights, saying that the rule of
law and democratic accountability by the police and army were
"crucial" for stability.

It encouraged the government "to make further urgent efforts
to address and resolve peacefully Indonesia's internal conflicts,
whether separatist or sectarian in character, such as those in
Aceh, Irian Jaya, the Malukus and Central Kalimantan."

"The only viable way to guarantee the territorial integrity of
Indonesia is for the government to engage in a genuine dialogue
with the provinces in order to tackle the root causes of
separatism," said the statement.

It urged Jakarta to improve relations with East Timor, while
recalling its responsibility "to prosecute those who have
violated human rights and international humanitarian law."