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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