Politically motivated aid a mistake: Kissinger

JAKARTA (JP): Dr. Henry Kissinger sees no harm in the United States' plan to raise human rights issues during President Bill Clinton's visit to Indonesia but decries any sanction related to the issues.

"If our President is talking to Indonesian leaders, I think there's nothing wrong with him stating his views. But I am against the cutoff of military aid, I'm against punitive measures to bring pressure on Indonesia," he said during an interview with SCTV to be aired at 6.p.m. today.

This is despite Americans' convictions on human rights and labor rights, Kissinger told Wimar Witoelar, host of the Perspektif talk show program.

The U.S. cut military aid to Indonesia in October 1992 in protest against Jakarta's handling of the East Timor tragedy a year earlier.

The former U.S. secretary of state is in Jakarta for an Asian Bankers Association meeting. Clinton is expected to arrive tomorrow to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

The interview covered broad topics including the significance of power in developing countries, the frequent U.S. intervention in other countries, the U.S. role in the chaotic Indonesia of the 1960s, and the APEC meeting. It was colored with Kissinger's usual quick wit and intelligent answers.

The famous statesmen heaped praise on Indonesia's leadership for its remarkable performance and predicted that Indonesia's political structure would change in 10 years time due to the pressure of industrialization.

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Winston Lord, said in a Worldnet interview last week that Clinton would discuss human rights and labor issues when he meets with President Soeharto. (hbk)