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)