Irian Jaya, E. Timor different: Downer

Irian Jaya, E. Timor different: Downer

JAKARTA (JP): Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer
maintained yesterday that the problems surrounding Irian Jaya
could not be paralleled to the issue of East Timor.

"It's a vast leap of logic to suggest that the unfortunate
incidents and political environment in Irian Jaya have the same
political environment as East Timor. I don't think you could
automatically draw that conclusion," he said in response to
questions at a news briefing here yesterday.

He pointed out that the socioeconomic structure and history of
Irian Jaya was quite different from East Timor.

The two provinces were recently rocked by proindependence
demonstrations and riots.

A clash between student demonstrators and security forces in
Jayapura, Irian Jaya, on Friday resulted in the death of one
intelligence officer and left two students in critical condition
after being shot.

A week earlier in East Timor, one man was shot dead when a mob
attacked a van of security officers who were accompanying a
European Union delegation.

Downer said that in his meeting with President B.J. Habibie
earlier yesterday he had expressed Australia's deep concern over
the recent shooting incidents in both provinces.

The former Portuguese colony of East Timor was integrated as
Indonesia's 27th province in 1976. The United Nations, however,
does not recognize it.

Australia has officially recognized the integration.

A small group of separatists on the tiny province continues to
survive, while abroad there is an active East Timor lobby.

Irian Jaya on the other hand has not been an international
issue as Dutch colonial forces handed the territory to Indonesia
in 1963 following a UN referendum.

However, a small band of separatists called the Free Papua
Movement continues to roam the area.

Dialog

Downer hailed yesterday new steps taken by the Indonesian
government to help solve the East Timor issue, saying they were
in line with his country's policies.

He said he felt that Habibie was committed to keeping his
pledge for special autonomy status and a gradual pullout of
troops from East Timor.

"Australia has called for a long time ... that the military
presence in East Timor should be reduced and there be a greater
degree of autonomy in East Timor," he said.

He said Australia also advocated the principle of "the people
of East Timor having a greater say in their own affairs", and for
better respect of human rights.

"The President clearly has a commitment to do those things,
and in particular he discussed with me his meeting with Bishop
Belo, and regarded that meeting with Belo ... as a very important
step forward," he said, referring to the recent meeting between
Habibie and Dili Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo.

He said Australia would continue to provide financial
assistance to the province and to the rest of the country.

"We have provided East Timor A$38 million in financial
assistance and plan to send an additional $24 million," he said.

Australia has also granted financial aid to Irian Jaya, East
and West Nusa Tenggara and Kalimantan, which were facing food
shortages because of a prolonged drought in the region.

Downer, who arrived here Wednesday for a three-day visit, is
scheduled to meet with Indonesian Armed Forces Commander Gen.
Wiranto today before leaving for home this evening. (rms)