New Zealand 'regrets' flag burning incident

New Zealand 'regrets' flag burning incident

JAKARTA (JP): New Zealand has formally expressed its regret to
Jakarta about another incident on its home soil in which an
Indonesian flag was set on fire during an anti-Indonesia
demonstration.

"The protesters say they are against the behavior of the
Indonesian government. However, what they have done insults all
Indonesians whatever their political point of view," Foreign
Minister Don McKinnon said in a statement released by his office
in Wellington on Friday.

"The Indonesian flag is a symbol of freedom and nationhood.
For some 400 years Indonesia was subject to colonization and only
gained independence after a very costly struggle. Their flag
therefore deserves respect," read the statement, a copy of which
was made available by the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
yesterday.

The latest flag burning incident in Christchurch was the third
to have occurred in New Zealand in recent weeks.

"While I understand the aim of the protesters to ensure (that)
human rights are respected in East Timor, this sort of action
undermines the force of the government's representatives.

"In the last few weeks I have discussed our concerns about
human rights abuses in Irian Jaya and East Timor on two occasions
at the very highest levels of the Indonesian government.

"I will continue to do this, but burning the Indonesian flag
is inappropriate and counterproductive. It confuses the real
message.

"We need to maintain our relationship with Indonesia if we are
to convey New Zealanders' concerns," McKinnon said. (emb)