RI rules out foreign troops for Maluku

RI rules out foreign troops for Maluku

JAKARTA (JP): Top government officials rebuffed suggestions on
Monday that foreign troops be stationed in the Maluku islands,
saying steps were already being taken to end the violence in the
area.

Speaking during a meeting with provincial governors at Bina
Graha presidential office, President Abdurrahman Wahid disclosed
that United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan had telephoned
him days earlier and told him "there had been suggestions about
the need for foreign troops in Maluku".

Abdurrahman pointed out that as a sovereign state, Indonesia
was fully responsible for its domestic affairs and it had taken
several measures to end the conflict in Maluku, including
imposing a state of civil emergency in the provinces of Maluku
and North Maluku.

Abdurrahman then said, "Kofi will try to ensure that these
proposals (for foreign troops in Maluku) will not be put on the
agenda of the UN Security Council."

Despite the state of civil emergency in Maluku and North
Maluku, which took effect last month, violence has continued
unabated, particularly in Ambon and the surrounding areas.

Over 100 people have been killed over the past week and more
than 3,000 people have died since the sectarian violence erupted
in January 1999.

Abdurrahman admitted events in Maluku had international
repercussions, and thus the whole country needed to work hard to
resolve the crisis.

"Only when we are overwhelmed, maybe we will scream for
logistics and equipment only, no more than that. It is the
maximum that we can accept," he remarked.

The President's comments came in response to North Maluku
Governor Brig. Gen. (ret) Abdul Muhjie Effendie's remarks during
the meeting that he faced severe obstacles in implementing the
state of civil emergency.

The governor told the President he needed additional security
personnel because the current 4,200-strong security force was
inadequate. "I do not mean to complain, but we lack good
facilities and transportation to deploy and maneuver troops
there."

Separately, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab also
underlined Jakarta's unwillingness to bend on this issue. He said
Indonesia would not accept any sort of international force in
Maluku, even if it came under the aegis of the United Nations.

Alwi underlined his comments by warning of harsh action
against international forces or groups in the country. "We will
not hesitate to arrest such groups."

But even as officials in Jakarta seemed to harden their
stance, talk of a possible international force in Maluku
continued.

United States Secretary of Defense William Cohen, during a
visit to Sydney, Australia, on Monday, said Washington had not
received a formal request for help in ending the violence in
Maluku.

Australia

However, he remarked that any possible international
intervention in Maluku would likely be coordinated by Australia.

It was Australia which led the multinational force which
entered East Timor at the height of the violence there last year.

Cohen admitted he and Australian Minister of Defense John
Moore had discussed Indonesia during two days of talks. He said
Australia would be expected to provide the lead if any
coordinated international action was needed in Maluku.

"What we have indicated is that we believe Australia is closer
to the situation. That we would look for some leadership on the
part of Australia in terms of formulating our own policies in the
region," Cohen said during a media conference.

Moore said Australia would only respond if it received a
formal request for help from Indonesia. "We haven't been asked to
participate or to help in any way in that area at all," Moore
said as quoted by Reuters.

Meanwhile in Ambon, the provincial capital of Maluku, tension
remained high on Monday. Heavily armed rioters were seen
attacking Kampung Urimesing in the Diponegoro Atas subdistrict
with mortars and grenades.

The Diponegoro subdistrict is home to several government
offices, schools and banks, and is considered the city's center
of activity.

Four rioters were reportedly shot by locals when they
attempted to burn houses in the area.

Seven armored vehicles from the Army and the marines arrived
later in the day to disperse the rioters. (49/dja/edt/prb)