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)