Politically motivated aid a mistake: Kissinger

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)