Sabam to return as scheduled

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas asserted yesterday that Indonesia would not delay the return of Ambassador Sabam Siagian from Canberra despite the sudden withdrawal of his appointed successor.

When asked by journalists, Alatas also categorically denied any suggestions that Sabam's tenure as ambassador might be extended.

"According to the plan, he will return at the end of the month," he said referring to the end of Sabam's four-year tenure as ambassador.

Indonesia last week withdrew the appointment of Lt. Gen. (ret.) H.B.L. Mantiri as Indonesia's new ambassador to Australia in response to the public uproar in Australia over a statement he made three years ago.

In a press interview, Mantiri reportedly said the actions of the soldiers in the 1991 Dili incident were quite proper.

Several dozen civilians were killed that day, when demonstrators and security personnel clashed in East Timor's provincial capital.

The former Portuguese colony was integrated in 1976 as Indonesia's 27th province.

Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans demanded that Mantiri apologize for his remark, warning of the potential complications of his job as ambassador should he fail to do so.

Indonesia reacted by withdrawing Mantiri's appointment and declaring that the post of ambassador in Canberra would be temporarily left vacant.

"For the time being the embassy will be headed up by an ad- interim charge d'affaires," Alatas explained.

Separately at the House of Representative's Commission II, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said yesterday that the government was still studying the situation.

He, like Alatas, refused to divulge the potential candidates, stating only that the government was still evaluating the circumstances.

He declined to say whether the new ambassador would be a civilian or from the military ranks.(mds)