IPTN and 'Post' dispute talks to resume Tuesday
IPTN and 'Post' dispute talks to resume Tuesday
JAKARTA (JP): The dispute pitting the state-owned aircraft
manufacturer IPTN against The Jakarta Post daily is hanging in
the balance although they agreed yesterday to keep working for an
out-of-court settlement.
Both parties' lawyers said after their second meeting, which
lasted two hours, yesterday that they were making progress.
They will report the results of the meeting to their clients
before resuming talks next Tuesday.
Erman Rajagukguk, a lawyer representing IPTN, said his client
was maintaining its three-point demand that the Post has to meet
for its incorrect report on the crash of an IPTN-made CN-235 last
month.
The demand includes that a correction and apology to IPTN be
published in local and foreign publications for the inaccurate
report. The format and editorial content of the correction and
apology would be determined by IPTN.
IPTN is also demanding that the Post pay compensation, the
amount is to be negotiated.
The Post, quoting a source at IPTN, had reported in its May 23
edition that fire was seen billowing from the fuselage of the
plane before it crashed and that there were indications that one
of the plane's propellers had broken before the fire started.
"There has been advice (on the form of settlement) shared
between us, and I think we are getting closer. We hope we can
reach an agreement as soon as possible," said Erman, a professor
at the University of Indonesia's School of Law.
He hailed the spirit of the meeting and said that the two
parties had "understood each other".
Erman dismissed speculation that resentment was behind IPTN's
decision to seek a legal settlement despite the Post's correction
and apology in its May 24 edition.
Todung Mulya Lubis, the Post's chief lawyer, said that both
parties had yet to touch on the substance of the problem after
two meetings, but expressed optimism that an amicable solution
could be reached.
He said the two parties had moved a step forward after
yesterday's meeting. He refused to go into detail.
"This is not a simple case. Many aspects have to be taken into
account, but basically we don't want the case settlement to
restrict press freedom," he said.
The Post's lawyers will disclose the daily's stance on IPTN's
three demands Monday, but did not rule out the possibility that
it will be announced today. Todung said the announcement would
not affect negotiations.
"Our response to IPTN's demands will not spoil our goodwill in
solving the case," he said.
He hinted that IPTN should not proceed with its lawsuit
because the Post had complied with journalistic procedures by
making the correction.
"Our press has made a lot of mistakes, but they responded with
corrections and allowed the victim to use the right to reply," he
said.
Todung said IPTN had not yet shown evidence of losses caused
by the Post's report. (11/amd)