Jakarta says it's up to RP to let Horta in
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will not pressure the Philippine government about whether it should let an East Timorese separatist leader come to Manila while President Soeharto is there in November.
"It is completely up to the Philippine government what action they wish to take. We trust they will pursue the appropriate policy," a foreign affairs ministry official said yesterday.
Several leftist non-governmental organizations in the Philippines have invited Jose Ramos Horta, the self-exiled leader of the East Timor separatist movement, to visit Manila in November to coincide with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum summit meeting.
President Soeharto is expected to attend the summit.
The foreign ministry official, who requested anonymity, said Manila should consider ASEAN's spirit of mutual respect, solidarity and non-intervention in the domestic affairs of other countries when it decides whether to grant Horta a visa.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
There is an understanding within ASEAN that a member will take the necessary measures to prevent acts in its soil which could be an affront to other members, the official said.
He pointed to a planned East Timor conference by activists in Manila in 1994 in which the Philippine government, conscious of Jakarta's displeasure, took measures to tone down the conference.
Manila even went so far as to bar entry to foreign delegates.
Horta, the joint winner of this year's Nobel peace prize, was also in Osaka, Japan, when the last APEC summit was held. His presence, while drawing some media interests, did not disrupt the APEC proceedings, which President Soeharto attended.
This year's APEC summit will be on Nov. 25.
APEC is an economic cooperation forum aimed at achieving comprehensive regional trade liberalization. It comprises Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States.
In Manila, AFP reported that Indonesian officials attending a preparatory APEC meeting shrugged off Horta's planned attendance.
"In Osaka, he (Horta) was also there," said Bintoro Tjokroamidjojo.
"I think the host country will try to prevent the embarrassment of a guest," said Bintoro, who is personal assistant to President Soeharto on APEC affairs.
Separately, Lisandro Abadia, director-general of the Philippine organizing committee, said it was up to his superiors whether to allow Horta into the country during the APEC summit.
Philippine Senate leader Blas Ople warned a visit by Horta would set a "dangerous precedent."
"The evident intention here is to embarrass President Soeharto," he said in a statement.
"This is incompatible with our foreign policy of promoting stability in the region," he added. (mds)