Ex-ICRC representative in Indonesia dies

Ex-ICRC representative in Indonesia dies

JAKARTA (JP): Cedric Neukomm, a senior official of the
International Commission of the Red Cross (ICRC) who worked in
Indonesia in the late 1970s, died on Dec. 5 of heart failure. His
last position was chief delegate of the ICRC in Pakistan.

Neukomm was the first ICRC delegate in Indonesia to help
120,000 East Timorese return from the hills after being held
hostage by Fretilin in mid 1979.

At least 15,000 lives, including babies and children, were
saved by ICRC humanitarian operations during the three years
Neukomm was in charge in Indonesia.

He started the continuing family reunion program for East
Timorese with Portugal and Australia. He also oversaw cases
involving ex-Portuguese civil servants. ICRC visits to political
prisoners were also begun and negotiated by him with the
Indonesian military and civilian authorities.

"Cedric was not only efficient, but undertook the task with
great understanding and compassion for Timorese victims as well
as for the complex and delicate political and security situation
resulting from the civil war and conflict," Jusuf Wanandi, the
chairman of the supervisory board of the Centre for Strategic and
International Studies, recalled.

"Since the beginning of his stay in Indonesia, Cedric came to
love Indonesia and has many close and personal friends. He loved
Bali very much and always tried to find excuses to be able to
visit the beautiful island as frequently as possible during his
years in Geneva, even when he was ICRC chief in Pakistan in the
last few years. In fact, he had planned to be in Bali at the end
of December.

"Because of his warm personality, friendliness and integrity,
as well as his dedication and pragmatism to the ICRC mission, he
contributed to the understanding and appreciation of Indonesian
leaders on what ICRC stands for and the partnership that ICRC
offers in promoting humanitarian objectives in the country,"
Jusuf said.

"We lost a friend, Cedric. But the legacy of his love for
Indonesia and concern that Indonesia would live up to its
humanitarian ideals, as embodied in Pancasila, will last
forever," Jusuf concluded.