Indonesia confident Canada can handle possible protests

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is confident that the Canadian government can ensure that possible demonstrations against leaders attending the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Vancouver next week does not get out of hand.

While acknowledging demonstrations are a form of public expression, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas maintained that it should be done in an orderly manner.

"We hope the Canadian government will be able to control demonstrators so they don't pose a risk to the heads of economies as well as other participants," Alatas said.

"People are free to protest and they can have varying opinions, but it isn't proper for them to use harsh words," he added.

President Soeharto is scheduled to attend the annual APEC leaders' meeting in Vancouver from Nov. 24 to Nov. 25.

A large Indonesian government contingent will also be arriving ahead of Soeharto, to attend preceding meetings, led by the Coordinating Minister for Production and Distribution Hartarto.

Canada has a history of being a strong critic of Indonesia's human rights issues. A strong East Timor lobby is also known to be prevalent in Canada.

It is feared that Soeharto's arrival in Vancouver will be met by a large demonstration, and officials here are wary of a possible repeat of the events which transpired in Dresden, Germany in 1995.

While visiting this quiet German town, about 100 demonstrators surrounded a museum which Soeharto was visiting, throwing anti- Indonesian pamphlets and shouting profanities.

Though Soeharto remained calm throughout the incident, waving and smiling at the crowd, many were alarmed at the protesters' close proximity to the President.

German officials promptly apologized for the incident.

Alatas said yesterday that demonstrations and protests are common in countries like Canada. While expressing a tone of caution, Alatas did not seem worried that possible anti- Indonesian protests would get severe.

There is no need to worry about possible demonstrations against the Indonesian government in Vancouver, Alatas remarked.

Eighteen leaders are set to attend the meeting.

APEC comprises Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States.

President Soeharto and Alatas will depart Indonesia this morning, going to Namibia and South Africa for a state visit first before heading to Vancouver. (mds)