Howard urges progress on E. Timor, promises aid
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)