U.S., Aussies regret magazine ban
JAKARTA (JP): The United States and Australian governments yesterday expressed concern at the Indonesian government's decision to cancel the publishing licenses of the Tempo, Editor and DeTIK news magazines.
"The U.S. government strongly supports freedom of the press throughout the world," said the statement, read by Pamela Smith of the U.S. embassy in Jakarta. "We therefore regret the Indonesian government's decision to cancel the publication license of three Indonesian journals," the statement said.
In Canberra, Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Gareth Evans was questioned about the ban, especially in view of Prime Minister Paul Keating's plan to visit Indonesia next week, during a parliamentary hearing yesterday.
"This is a very disappointing development indeed," Evans responded to the question posed by Alice Bourne of the Democrat Party.
Evans pointed out that until recently, Indonesia was actually on the brink of progressing towards a genuinely free and open press, with the support and acceptance of the government.
"(The decision to ban) is in sharp contrast to that trend so far as the media is concerned," he said.
Evans stressed however that Keating's Indonesian visit would not be affected by the recent turn of events.
He declined to speculate whether or not the magazine bans will be raised. "It will be for the Prime Minister's judgment as to how he chooses to convey our concerns on this or on any other current issue during his forthcoming visit."
In Jakarta Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono yesterday confirmed Keating's three-day visit beginning on June 27.
Moerdiono said that although Keating will come primarily to lend credence to the on-going trade and cultural program Australia Today Indonesia 1994, the prime minister will hold a meeting with President Soeharto during his stay.
The two leaders will discuss bilateral issues as well as the upcoming leadership meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in November, Moerdiono said. (pwn/mds)