RI did not request ban on Horta: Alatas

RI did not request ban on Horta: Alatas

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali
Alatas yesterday said Jakarta had nothing to do with Manila's
decision to bar East Timorese separatist leader Jose Ramos Horta
from entering the Philippines during the Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) forum meeting.

"You know that it was a decision taken by the Philippines
government themselves," Alatas said.

Alatas welcomed Manila's decision.

Manila recently said "national security" was why it was
barring Horta from entering the Philippines during the APEC
meeting which will be attended by Indonesia's President Soeharto
and 17 other heads of government.

The leaders' meeting is scheduled for Nov. 25, after
ministerial and senior officials' meetings.

Various non-governmental organizations will hold a parallel
meeting during the APEC leaders meeting.

In 1994, Jakarta was very upset when activists in Manila
planned to hold an international conference on East Timor and
asked the Philippines government to put a stop to it.

The Philippines and Thailand, are the bases of strong action
groups opposed to Indonesia's 1976 integration of the former
Portuguese colony of East Timor.

"I am asserting that this time we did not ask for anything.
Maybe in the past we did but not this time," Alatas said,
referring 1994.

Nevertheless, according to Alatas, Manila realized the
potential embarrassment of the planned activities which have
nothing to do with APEC.

"Apparently the Philippines government, even President Ramos
himself, realized the importance of a successful APEC meeting and
it not being disturbed by people who not only want to embarrass
Indonesia but the host as well," he said.

APEC is an economic forum which comprises Australia, Brunei,
Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia,
Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea,
Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States.
(mds)