Foreign medics 'free to examine Pakpahan'

By Kornelius Purba

VANCOUVER, Canada (JP): Indonesian President Soeharto told United States President Bill Clinton on Monday that Indonesia would not object to foreign doctors examining jailed labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan.

Responding to Clinton's inquiry, Soeharto said foreign physicians were free to come and examine Pakpahan but an Indonesian doctor would have to be present.

"If foreign doctors want to check Pakpahan's health, they must work together with Indonesian doctors whose skills are no less sophisticated than foreign doctors," Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said quoting Soeharto.

Pakpahan, chairman of the unsanctioned Indonesian Prosperity Labor Union, is being treated for various health problems at a hospital in Jakarta.

According to Moerdiono, Clinton did not directly ask permission for American doctors to visit the jailed labor leader nor appeal for his release during the meeting.

A day earlier Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy announced that Ottawa would be sending medical equipment and specialists to examine Pakpahan.

The scheduled 30-minute meeting between the two presidents at Clinton's suite at the Waterfront Hotel here in downtown Vancouver was extended to one-hour.

Soeharto was accompanied by Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, Coordinating Minister for Production and Distribution Hartarto and economic advisor Widjojo Nitisastro.

Clinton was accompanied by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Stapleton Roy.

Soeharto and Clinton are in Vancouver to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Clinton was among the five leaders to hold bilateral meetings with Soeharto Monday.

On the same day, Soeharto also attended a luncheon with other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Soeharto had to skip a breakfast with ASEAN leaders and Clinton in the morning because he had bilateral meetings with Australian Prime Minister John Howard, New Zealand Prime Minister Jim Bolger, Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

Clinton also raised the issue of human rights and East Timor during his meeting with Soeharto.

U.S. National Security Advisor Sandy Berger said Clinton talked about "the need for countries like Indonesia to deal with how to accommodate order and liberty, and create the correct balance as they develop."

"In this new information world provision will need to be made for people who move to the beat of a different drummer and for localized concerns within the context, obviously, of social stability," Berger said.

"President Soeharto did not respond directly."

Moerdiono said Soeharto told Clinton that the government respects differences of views but pointed out that democracy must be in accordance with national culture.

"Any difference of views must be exercised in accordance with prevailing laws," Moerdiono said.

Fund

According to Moerdiono, one topic which Soeharto raised with all leaders he met Monday was the regional currency crisis.

"The President pointed out the... (need) to set up an emergency fund for the region. Details on its form, the way to collect the funds and who has the right to use the money can be discussed later," Moerdiono said.

"Leaders who met with the President in general gave their support to his ideas," Moerdiono said.

Soeharto and 17 other leaders will attend the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting Tuesday (today Indonesian time).

He will depart later in the day for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for a private religious visit. His children and grandchildren will join him in Jeddah to perform umrah, Moslem minor pilgrimage.

Soeharto's plane will make a one-hour stopover for refueling in Zurich, Switzerland. Soeharto and his entourage will arrive in Jeddah on Thursday.

After performing his umrah Soeharto and his family will leave for Jakarta on Friday night. He is expected to arrive in Jakarta on Saturday afternoon.