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)