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)