Exclusion of E. Timor from agenda sought
Exclusion of E. Timor from agenda sought
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia sought French support yesterday to exclude East Timor from the agenda of the Asia-European summit in Bangkok next month, warning that the inclusion of such a controversial issue could jeopardize the outcome of the meeting.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas told reporters, after meeting with his French counterpart Herve de Charette, that he received "a positive response" on the issue during a closed session between the two ministers.
"I asserted once more to the French that for the sake of a successful meeting, we shouldn't allow irrelevant or controversial issues to be put forward," Alatas said, adding that the French minister "fully agreed" with this view.
"If that happens this historical inaugural meeting is subject to failure," Alatas remarked.
Heads of government from 15 western European states, the seven members of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) along with China, Japan and South Korea will hold a meeting in the Thai capital on March 1 and 2.
This inaugural meeting aims at establishing a dialog to enhance the existing links between the two economic centers.
While the topics will be generally geared to economic matters and development cooperation, a number of European leaders are under pressure from their constituents to raise social topics such as human rights in Bangkok. Portugal, which will also take part, is known to be pushing for the inclusion of East Timor, its former colony, as a topic.
When asked whether the term "irrelevant or controversial issues" was more clearly defined during the meeting with Charette, Alatas said that East Timor was specifically mentioned.
"East Timor was mentioned quite explicitly in our (private) talk before entering the plenary meeting," he revealed.
He explained that the plenary meeting only referred to "irrelevant issues" which might create a polemic due to its controversial nature.
"In this case, I can say that I received a very positive attitude from the French," he said.
Charette arrived here on Sunday evening for a three-day stay.
His arrival reflects the increasing importance being attached to relations between Indonesia and France as only Jakarta and Beijing were visited during his first official trip to Asia since being appointed foreign minister in mid-1995.
Charette would not divulge too much about his meeting with Alatas, saying that his visit here is an attempt to bring "new momentum to the relationship."
He is scheduled to meet with President Soeharto this morning before returning to Paris.
Apart from the Bangkok summit, the two foreign ministers also discussed ways to improve commercial ties.
While acknowledging France's economic role here, Alatas said Indonesia would like to see increased French participation.
"Particularly in the investment field where we consider France still far below its potential," he said.
He strongly urged a boost in French investments which currently rank 14th here. "However, internationally they are the world's fourth biggest investor," Alatas added.
French investments here total over US$1.2 billion. (mds)
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