Indonesia reaffirms 'one-China' policy

Indonesia reaffirms 'one-China' policy

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas confirmed
yesterday that he had met with Taiwan Foreign Minister John
Chang, both in their private rather than official capacities.

Alatas however reiterated Indonesia's commitment to its "one-
China" policy.

"We remain consistent in our policy of recognizing only the
People's Republic of China and its government," he told
reporters.

"Mr. John Chang was here yesterday in his individual capacity
on a private visit," he said.

"That is a normal thing. He was not invited.

"During his visit, he asked to meet with me. I agreed on
condition that it was in a private, personal capacity," Alatas
said.

Alatas emphasized that he had met Chang not as Indonesian
foreign minister, but as "Ali Alatas".

"And he did the same. The term `Taiwan minister' doesn't exist
in the Indonesian dictionary," he said, adding that the meeting
took place outside his office.

Alatas declined to disclose the contents of their meeting.

Informed sources have earlier said that Chang also met with
State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie on
Wednesday.

Chang returned to Taipei yesterday but declined to tell
reporters who he met in Indonesia, Reuters reported.

"I have met people I wanted to meet," he said on his arrival
at the airport. He did not elaborate.

In spite of the absence of diplomatic ties, Taiwan has become
one of Indonesia's main trading partners as well as an important
source of private investment.

Beijing, which considers Taiwan as a renegade province, has
been quick to denounce any sign that relations between Indonesia
and Taiwan would move beyond just business.

In 1994, it protested at a meeting between Taiwan President
Lee Teng-hui and Indonesia's President Soeharto which took place
when both leaders were "on holiday" in the resort island of Bali.
(emb)