New Zealand's Bolger defends line on East Timor

New Zealand's Bolger defends line on East Timor

WELLINGTON (Reuter): New Zealand Prime Minister Jim Bolger
yesterday denied dodging human rights issues in talks with
Indonesia's President Soeharto and said he had clearly voiced his
concerns about the situation in East Timor.

Conciliatory remarks by Bolger after he met Soeharto in
Jakarta last week were condemned by New Zealand's opposition
Labor Party, which branded him an apologist for Indonesia.

But Bolger told the British Broadcasting Corporation's World
Service that he and Soeharto discussed at length the situation in
East Timor, a former Portuguese colony which Indonesia integrated
in 1975.

He said he conveyed to the Indonesian leader the substance of
a petition signed by 51 of New Zealand's 99 members of
parliament, protesting against alleged torture, massacres and
other human rights abuses in the territory.

"I had a long discussion with the president on the issue of
human rights abuses," Bolger said.

"The suggestion that somehow or other the welcome, and the
warmth of the welcome, extended to me by the president and the
government of Indonesia prevented me or persuaded me not to talk
about the problems of East Timor is simply wrong."

He said he had made clear that New Zealand was not satisfied
with the status quo and wanted progress towards an
internationally acceptable agreement on East Timor.

Bolger, asked about criticism of his stance from opposition
politicians, said there was nothing more he could have done.

"Did they want us to invade East Timor or something? What were
we going to do? Put a trade embargo on Indonesia? Refuse to buy
their goods or export anything to them?

"What else do you do other than to express a concern and to
express hope that those concerns will be addressed?"