U.S., Aussies regret magazine ban

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)