Indonesia confident Canada can handle possible protests
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)