U.S. embargo on Iran regretted

U.S. embargo on Iran regretted

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian government has expressed its
regret over the embargo on Iran unilaterally imposed by the
United States.

"In light of the recent decision by the United States to
impose an economic and trade embargo on Iran, the Indonesian
government regrets this development," according to a statement
from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Dialog and negotiation are the most tenable and effective way
of resolving disputes between nations, it stated.

U.S. President Bill Clinton announced on Sunday that he would
sign an executive order cutting all U.S. trade and investment
with Iran to hinder Tehran's alleged support of international
terrorism and attempts to build nuclear weapons.

Tehran has continually denied the allegations and deemed
Washington's actions as "disgraceful".

The foreign ministry also released a statement yesterday
conveying concern over the continuing violence in Sri Lanka.

Indonesia is "deeply concerned at the resumption of
hostilities in Sri Lanka", the ministry stated.

In a direct breach of the existing cease-fire, the Liberation
Tigers Tamil Eelam attacked government ships at Trincomalee on
April 19 and an army camp a few days later.

"The attacks constitute a unilateral act by the Liberation
Tigers Tamil Eelam in violation of the cease-fire agreement,
which it had earlier agreed on with the Sri Lankan government,"
the ministry stated.

It called on the Liberation Tigers Tamil Eelam to cease
hostilities and return to the dialog process to find a peaceful
solution to the conflict.

"The government of Indonesia is of the opinion that any
further acts of violence will only lead to the renewal of the
tragedy that has already brought immense suffering to the people
of Sri Lanka," the ministry said. (mds)