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.