Howard urges progress on E. Timor, promises aid

JAKARTA (JP): Australian Prime Minister John Howard touched on the East Timor issue during his talks with President Soeharto yesterday, urging progress from dialog and greater control for the East Timorese over their own affairs.

Indonesia's Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said Howard did not specifically raise the issue of human rights.

Speaking after the meeting between the two leaders, Moerdiono said Howard expressed hope that the ongoing process on East Timor would "produce the best results for all parties".

Separately, Howard told journalists that Australia's stance on the issue had not changed but hoped progress could be made.

"I indicated to the President that whilst Australia recognized, and had for a long time been consistent with recognition of Indonesian sovereignty over East Timor, it would be desirable... that further progress in the area of dialog and greater control over their own affairs, was made in relation to East Timor," Howard said in a press conference yesterday.

When asked how Soeharto responded, Howard replied: "I think he took on board what I had to say about that... I wasn't expecting any substantive response at this time."

Howard arrived here for a two-day working visit on Tuesday. This is his second visit here since becoming prime minister last year. Soeharto has not visited Australia since 1974.

Australia fully recognizes the integration of East Timor as Indonesia's 27th province.

As close neighbors, Jakarta and Canberra have frequently held consultative meetings with each other.

Yesterday's meeting was dominated by talks on the current financial crisis hitting various Southeast Asian countries including Indonesia.

Howard affirmed Australia's commitment to help Indonesia through the International Monetary Fund.

Another issue which came up during the talks yesterday was the 1989 Timor Gap Treaty.

The treaty divides the 61,000 square kilometer stretch of sea between East Timor and Australia. It is believed to contain huge oil and gas reserves.

Moerdiono said the two leaders had committed their ministers to resolve any possible disagreements concerning the treaty.

Howard, on the other hand, said issues regarding the Timor Gap Treaty would be discussed by ministers in Cairns, Australia, next month.

Howard also announced yesterday that Australia would be opening six new honorary consulates in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara; Surabaya, East Java; Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi; Medan, North Sumatra; Balikpapan, East Kalimantan and Ambon, Maluku.

It was hoped that the presence of these new consulates would further boost trade and investment.

During the meeting Soeharto also thanked Australia for providing A$2 million and water bombers to help fight the raging forest fires in Indonesia.

"The President expressed his gratitude for Australian assistance to extinguish fires in the forest and peat lands," Moerdiono remarked.

Howard left Jakarta yesterday evening to return home. (prb/10/42)