RI still committed to rights tribunal, challenges remain

CANBERRA (JP): Top Indonesian officials here on Tuesday pleaded for international patience and understanding on the delicate domestic complexities involved in their efforts to bring the perpetrators of alleged human rights abuses in East Timor to trial.

Speaking after a meeting with Australian Prime Minister John Howard, President Abdurrahman Wahid insisted that Jakarta was committed to seeing justice being done.

"They have to be brought to justice and the law enforcement will take place in Indonesia," Abdurrahman told journalists.

However he was quick to caution that despite his unbending commitment, the process "needs time because everything in Indonesia is slow."

"There are so many obstacles we have to face," Abdurrahman added.

Indonesia is under international pressure to bring those allegedly responsible for the wave of violence in East Timor in August 1999 to trial.

The Attorney General's Office has named three members of the military top brass at the time as being among the 23 suspects named for alleged human rights violations in the former Indonesian province that took place after a UN-sanctioned plebiscite there resulted in an overwhelming vote for independence.

Recently the government passed a law providing for the establishment of a tribunal to try those responsible for human rights crimes.

The Attorney General's Office is also completing its investigation of several suspects, including senior military officers, in connection with alleged rights violations in East Timor.

When the President, who is on a state visit to Australia, was again pressed if Indonesia was committed to upholding justice in this regard, he replied: "There should be law enforcement on this matter and prosecution as well."

"But we need time to do that!"

The issue of East Timor and the bringing of alleged rights violators to trial continued to be a major theme of Abdurrahman's visit to Australia.

Prime Minister Howard himself on Tuesday expressed confidence that the Indonesia government would stick to its commitment of seeing justice being carried out.

"We take a positive view of the commitment made on the establishment of tribunals to deal with allegations concerning conduct both before and after the 1999 ballot," he said.

Commitment

Separately after meeting with his Australian counterpart Alexander Downer, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab also underlined Jakarta's commitment to convening a rights tribunal "as soon as possible."

However Alwi warned about the extent to which Australia and the international community should try to compel Indonesia to carry out this commitment.

"Australia should also recognize that there are (domestic) elements which feel that if the tribunal goes too far, it could disrupt the delicate balance inside the country," he said.

He warned that should this happen "the government, despite its commitment, may not be able to optimally fulfill the expectations of the international community."

In a related development, Alwi said he had also discussed with Downer the issue of the East Timor refugees still living in camps in East Nusa Tenggara.

Alwi said that Indonesia should not have to bear the burden of helping the refugees alone.

"The international community should also take responsibility," he asserted.

"I asked Australia to take an active role, not only in terms of financial contributions, but also supporting Indonesia by voicing it in the international community," Alwi said.

According to Alwi, Downer said he could understand the Indonesian position. (mds)