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?"