RI students in Europe call change

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian students in Europe sent a strong message home over the weekend, urging the government to respect freedom of expression as guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution.

Leaders of the Association of Indonesian Students (PPI) in Europe gathered in the small English town of Hatfield on Monday for a seminar in connection with Indonesia's 50th independence anniversary, Antara reported yesterday.

At the conclusion of the meeting the students issued a declaration calling on the government to work towards democracy in Indonesia.

The students said the House of Representatives needed to "optimize" its function as a legislative body.

An effective House and guaranteed of freedom of speech were two elements crucial for the development of democracy in Indonesia, the students said.

The July 6-9 Hatfield gathering was addressed by senior Indonesian statesmen, including Roeslan Abdulgani, M. Sadli and Cosmas Batubara. Some Indonesian ambassadors posted in European capitals were also present.

The statement also stressed the need for Indonesia to encourage the growth of a strong and critical middle class, which the students said was crucial to eliminating the last remnants of feudalism in the country. (05)