No international rights inquiry: Minister

No international rights inquiry: Minister

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said on
Wednesday the government was adamant it would not accept an
international inquiry into alleged rights abuses in East Timor,
but was still open to the possibility of accepting foreign
prosecutors and judges in the eventual trial.

Alwi told The Jakarta Post that despite a recent
constitutional amendment which provides protection against
retroactive charges, the government was insistent the legal
process against all perpetrators in the East Timor case would
continue.

"Pak Marzuki and myself have a common intention that the case
continue. The international community just has to give us a
chance," he said, referring to Attorney General Marzuki Darusman.

"We do not need an international inquiry (team) to come here
because a sufficient investigation already exists.

"We understand the constitutional amendment gives doubts to the
international community of our seriousness in dealing with the
case. But we insist that all ongoing investigations on human
rights abuse cases will continue," he said.

Article 28I of the amended 1945 Constitution has thrown doubt
on whether Indonesia can really try those considered responsible
for the violence that swept East Timor.

Many have pointed out that Indonesia's criminal code does not
recognize crimes against humanity, omission and collective
responsibility.

A new rights tribunal bill, which could have overcome these
shortcomings, may now be deemed ineffective due to the
nonretroactive clause guaranteed in the Constitution.

Last week, a senior UN spokesman in New York warned that the
constitutional amendment could force the UN to reconsider holding
an international inquiry.

Speaking on the possibility of foreign prosecutors and judges
presiding over the East Timor case, Alwi said the government was
open to the idea as long as there was an agreement from all
related parties.

Alwi pointed out that Indonesia's judicial system still had
many weaknesses and, thus, the presence of foreign prosecutors
and judges seemed fair.

"Personally, I think maybe we should accept them because so
far we have not shown an improvement in our judicial system. The
presence of foreign prosecutors and judges may help to
rehabilitate our country's image," Alwi said.

Earlier, in Dili, the United Nations top administrator in East
Timor said he was confident Indonesia would bring to justice
those responsible for last year's violence.

"I say patience," Sergio Vieira de Mello told reporters late
on Tuesday. "Let's give them more time."

"I don't know what that amendment means because I have read so
many different interpretations," de Mello said. "I must confess
to you that I'm confused."

De Mello said he would be in Jakarta later this week to seek
assurances that the amendment would not undermine Indonesia's
commitment to justice.

Meanwhile, in the West Sumatra capital of Padang, a former
East Timor militia member, Irwan Ribeiro, said on Wednesday that
the next meeting between East Timor rival factions, the
Indonesian Military (TNI) and UN officials would take place early
next month in Bukittinggi, some 80 kilometers north of Padang.

East Timorese proindependence and prointegration leaders, TNI
and UN representatives have been involved in a series of meetings
to discuss the return of some East Timorese refugees remaining in
East Nusa Tenggara.

The last meeting was held at the office of Maj. Gen. Kiki
Syahnakri, the commander of the Bali-based Udayana Military
Command, in Denpasar last month. (28/byg/dja)