Govt to free more political prisoners

Govt to free more political prisoners

JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie offered assurances
yesterday that all political prisoners would eventually be
released unless they were Marxists or Communists.

During a meeting with visiting United States Congressman
Christopher H. Smith, Habibie claimed that he was committed to
upholding human rights.

He said Tuesday's release of high-profile political prisoners
Sri Bintang Pamungkas and Muchtar Pakpahan was just the
beginning.

"The president said requirements for (the release of)
prisoners is based on three criteria: that they are not opposed
to the Constitution, not Marxist, and that they are not on
criminal charges," Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung said
after accompanying Habibie during a meeting at Bina Graha
presidential office.

During the one-hour meeting, Smith, who chairs the
congressional subcommittee on international operations and human
rights, submitted a petition, signed by 15 members of Congress,
asking for the release of 12 political prisoners.

They are: Budiman Sudjatmiko, Andi Arief, Dita Sari, Garda
Sembiring, Yakobus Eko Kurniawan, IG Pranowo, Suroso, Petrus
Haryanto, Andi Syahputra and East Timor separatist leader Jose
Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao.

Sri Bintang Pamungkas and Muchtar Pakpahan, who were released
Tuesday, were also included on the list.

"We believe that the success of your administration ultimately
will be judged by the extent to which it moves Indonesia toward
democracy and respect for human rights," the congressmen said in
the letter.

The letter, dated May 22, was signed by among others House
Majority Leader Dick Armey, chairman of the committee on
international relations Benjamin A. Gilman and chairman of the
committee on banking and financial services James A. Leach.

"The expectation is that deeds will continue to follow
rhetoric, that there will be more releases of political
prisoners," Smith later told journalists.

Human rights organizations here have estimated that there are
about 200 political prisoners across the country.

In a separate meeting with the president yesterday, veteran
politician Frans Seda also urged Habibie to free more prisoners
soon.

"The political convicts and detainees were linked to
injustices in the past," Seda said after meeting with Habibie.

Minister of Justice Muladi also affirmed that the government
was considering the release of more political prisoners but did
not say when.

"The next batch of prisoners to be released will include two
to five political prisoners," he told reporters after the first
limited cabinet meeting on political affairs and security
yesterday.

Separately, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas dismissed
the possibility of releasing Xanana Gusmao.

"I can tell you that Xanana is a different case. He was jailed
not as a political prisoner but as a criminal, who has been
sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for murder and other criminal
acts."

However, Alatas said other East Timorese, who were convicted
of staging political activities, including street demonstrations,
might be released.

Muchtar Pakpahan, chairman of the Indonesian Prosperous Labor
Union (SBSI), rallied in support of his colleagues still in jail.

"Besides me and Sri Bintang, there are still many political
prisoners, along with those detained by the police and the
Attorney General's Office, who must be freed."

He pointed out that the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office was still
detaining labor activist Farah, who is facing charges of illegal
political activities.

He added that in Medan, North Sumatra, many labor activists
from the SBSI were still detained on the same charges.
(prb/imn/rms)