Indonesia still hopes for lifting of Iraqi embargo
Indonesia still hopes for lifting of Iraqi embargo
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia remained steadfast in its wish to lift sanctions imposed against Iraq despite a written message yesterday from United States President Bill Clinton soliciting support for their maintenance.
The letter was delivered to President Soeharto yesterday at his residence on Jl. Cendana by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Winston Lord.
Indonesia is part of the growing list of countries who seek to abolish, or at least lighten, the United Nations sanctions imposed on Iraq following their 199O invasion of Kuwait.
"It would be a mistake to lift or ease the sanctions," Lord said, referring to the UN Security Council's impending review of the situation on March 16.
Both Indonesia and the United States are members of the Security Council, the latter is a permanent member and has exclusive veto powers.
"We think that they have not complied with most of the provisions of the resolution," Lord said, explaining Washington's opposition of Baghdad.
Washington has launched a campaign amongst Security Council members to squash any attempt by countries sympathetic to Iraq's plight, such as Indonesia, France and Russia, to ease the sanctions.
U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Madeline Albright, after finishing a trip to Council members Britain, Italy, the Czech Republic and Oman, boasted over the weekend that she had succeeded in defeating efforts to lift the sanctions.
Lord himself visited China prior to his arrival here.
This is the third visit by a foreign dignitary concerning the sanctions imposed on Iraq since Indonesia was admitted as a non- permanent member of the Security Council in January this year.
In the past month, Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister Sulaiman M. Shaheen and Iraqi Foreign Minister Mahoamd Sa'id Al-Sahaf have visited Jakarta seeking support for their respective positions.
Despite Clinton's letter and Winston Lord's arrival as a special envoy, Indonesia has maintained that every effort must be made to lift or ease the sanctions.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said that President Soeharto conveyed his concern for the condition of the Iraqi people as a result of the sanctions.
He added that Soeharto's sentiments also represented those of the 111-nation Non-Aligned Movement which the President chairs.
"That is why Indonesia hopes the Security Council will show some appreciation of, and sympathy toward, the conditions in Iraq," Alatas said.
Alatas said that Indonesia acknowledged Iraq's obligation to fulfill the UN resolutions and said that if the sanctions couldn't be dropped, they should at least be eased according to what Baghdad has implemented so far.
Despite declarations of support, Alatas was skeptical that the effort to help Iraq would be successful, following his meeting with Lord yesterday.
"In the end, we realize that to change or lift the sanctions a unanimous vote is needed from the Security Council," Alatas explained, adding that thus far this has not been the case.
"A change cannot be expected in the near future," he commented.
During the meeting, many regional topics were reportedly discussed, including the tensions surrounding the South China Sea, the situation on the Korean peninsula and the forthcoming review of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
When asked if recent incidents in the Liquisa regency of East Timor were brought-up, Alatas said they were discussed in passing.
"They (the U.S.) said they welcomed Indonesia's swift response to this matter," he stated.
The U.S., through its embassy in Jakarta, expressed deep concern over suspicion that the armed forces killed innocent civilians in Liquisa.
"They are now waiting to hear the decision of the Officers Honor Council," Alatas added.(mds)