Soeharto, Kohl discuss right issues
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl yesterday engaged in "an intensive exchange of views" on human rights issues and the question of East Timor.
Indonesian Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono told journalists that Soeharto explained about the implementation and protection of human rights in Indonesia during the two-hour meeting yesterday.
"The President pointed to the existence of many articles in various laws (in Indonesia) pertaining to the protection of human rights," Moerdiono said. He added that the President also underlined the importance of weighing human rights values against the values and history of the nation.
Chancellor Kohl said there was much common ground between the two, there were also differences in perception.
Nevertheless, he added, that it was common for two close friends to discuss such things openly. Speaking through an interpreter he described the talks on human rights as "an intensive exchange of views".
Kohl arrived for a four-day visit on Saturday afternoon. He spent the first two-days in a relaxed atmosphere with Soeharto in the Thousand Islands, North of Jakarta.
Kohl will fly Manila today to continue his Asian tour.
While his visit here is aimed primarily at boosting already growing economic ties between the two countries, Kohl did not skirt the issue of human rights during yesterday's bilateral meeting with Soeharto.
Prior to his departure, he had received calls asking him to be more assertive on issues such as East Timor.
Yesterday Kohl said he brought up the question of the former Portuguese colony which was integrated into Indonesia in 1976.
"It's very, very important that it be resolved justifiably and peacefully together with the people of East Timor," Kohl twice said through his interpreter.
Kohl also met yesterday with several local religious leaders. However, one of the principal figures, East Timor Bishop Carlos Felipe Ximenes Belo, failed to show up at the meeting.
"It's extremely regrettable that even though he was invited, Bishop Belo did not show up," Kohl said.
An invitation had been sent very much in advance, through the German ambassador here and the Vatican, and a plane had been put at Belo's disposal, said Kohl.
Belo, the recent Nobel Peace laureate, was reportedly "too busy" to meet with the German Chancellor. Kohl said that he was willing to meet Belo any time before leaving the country.
However, with Kohl's morning departure it seems unlikely that a meeting will eventuate. "It's too bad, we really wanted to meet him," Kohl remarked.
To highlight economic aspects of the visit, Kohl discussed with Soeharto the possibility of German companies participating in joint projects. Ventures mentioned were the Natuna Gas project, the construction of a dam in the Memberamo river in Irian Jaya and the development of railway lines.
German delegates said some 25 agreements worth nearly US$700 million, including on a maritime shipping agreement, were signed during the visit.
Kohl yesterday received an honorary membership to the Indonesian Engineers Association. The ceremony was attended by Vice President Try Sutrisno and Indonesian State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie.
Soeharto held a banquet in Kohl's honor yesterday evening.
The German delegation included Minister of Economics Gunter Rexrodt, Minister of Post and Telecommunications Wolfgang Botsch, Minister of Research and Technology Jurgen Rutgers and some 70 businessmen. (mds)
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