U.S., Australia urge RI to show restraint

U.S., Australia urge RI to show restraint

WASHINGTON (Agencies): In a strongly worded statement, U.S.
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright on Tuesday deplored
violence in Indonesia and urged security forces there to show
restraint.

"The United States deplores the killings which have taken
place as Indonesian security forces have confronted
demonstrators," she said in a written statement.

"We strongly urge the security forces to show restraint and
refrain from violence when facing protesters. We repeat our call
for students and the public to keep their demonstrations
peaceful," Albright said.

"Indonesia needs to break the cycle of violence which appears
to be emerging. All parties in Indonesia recognize the need for
political reform. Such political reform can only be achieved
through dialog between the Indonesian government and its
citizens."

Her comments followed a warning to Jakarta last weekend to
respect human rights and show restraint toward protesters seeking
political reform.

"We are very concerned about what is going on in Indonesia,"
Albright said at the end of London meetings of the Group of Eight
industrialized countries -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany,
Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States.

Human rights group Amnesty International also weighed in on
Tuesday, accusing Indonesian security forces of showing contempt
for human life after the deaths of protesters.

The London-based organization said the killings showed how far
the government was willing to go to silence student protesters.

"This goes beyond maintaining order. It shows contempt for
human life," Amnesty said in a statement.

In Canberra, Australia expressed its official regret about the
shooting.

"Up until now there have been quite violent demonstrations and
I have been pleased really with the level of restraint that has
been shown by the police and by the defense forces," Foreign
Minister Alexander Downer said.

"Obviously the Australian government regrets the death of the
students."

Downer said an inquiry, which he understood the Indonesian
government planned to conduct into the incident, was an
appropriate response.

But it was vital for Indonesia that its government, police and
demonstrators act with appropriate restraint, he said.

"It is very important that in dealing with those
demonstrations, the Indonesian authorities themselves behave with
restraint."

Recall

Independent senator Brian Harradine said Australia should
recall its ambassador in Jakarta for urgent discussions, sending
a clear signal that Australian aid should not be taken for
granted.

Harradine, a member of the parliamentary human rights
subcommittee, said: "The death of Indonesian students at the
hands of riot police should bring home to Australia that the
Asian crisis is rapidly becoming a full-blown human rights crisis
as well."

Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer urged Indonesia yesterday to
avoid violence in quelling the escalating antigovernment
protests.

"I urge the Indonesian government to use a great deal of care
and caution," Fischer told a business breakfast.

"I am shattered by the scenes of students being shot ... it
will only worsen the situation."

Fischer, who is also trade minister, said he remained
confident about Indonesia's future.

Australia's US$1 billion contribution to an International
Monetary Fund $43 billion rescue package for Indonesia would also
help ease unemployment and social unrest, he said.

"I remain confident of the basic potential of Indonesia ...
which will generate more trade and investment," Fischer said.

Earlier this month, Canberra also announced a $19 million
humanitarian aid package for Indonesia, aimed at easing civil
unrest.

In Tokyo, the Japanese government expressed "great concern"
over the shootings.

"We are trying to gather information with great concern but I
will not comment at this stage because President Soeharto is not
in the country," Jiji Press quoted Prime Minister Ryutaro
Hashimoto as telling reporters.

Japan's foreign minister Keizo Obuchi met yesterday with
Indonesia's visiting Coordinating Minister for economy, Finance
and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita and the pair discussed the
unrest.