Wahono criticizes European Parliament

Wahono criticizes European Parliament

JAKARTA (JP): Speaker of the House of Representatives Wahono
has lodged a protest with the European Parliament for inviting
Free Papua Movement (OPM) separatists to present their case.

The protest may set the stage for confrontation between
representatives of the two legislative bodies when they hold
their regular meeting in Europe next week.

In a two page letter, Wahono charged that the invitation to
Irian Jaya secessionists amounts to the parliament's intervention
in Indonesia's internal affairs.

OPM is an outlawed organization that seeks independence from
the Republic of Indonesia and wages a campaign of terror to
achieve its goal, Wahono said in the letter.

The invitation, he warned, encourages terrorism that will
affect not only Indonesia, but also the rest of the world, Antara
reported.

OPM rebels have been holding 11 people, including six European
researchers, ransom since Jan. 8 to dramatize the organization's
demand for international recognition of its cause.

The Indonesian government has involved the Geneva-based
International Committee for the Red Cross in its efforts to
peacefully end the drama but the prospect is uncertain.

The European Parliament's Feb. 23 invitation also evoked
strong reaction from the Indonesian government. Last month,
Foreign Minister Ali Alatas filed a similar protest, dismissing
it as "interference in Indonesia's domestic affairs."

Wahono said that like any other country, Indonesia condemns
terrorism, such as the abduction by the OPM rebels. The
Indonesian House supports the government's policy to choose the
"persuasive" approach to free the hostages.

He expressed appreciation for the European Parliament's
concern about the kidnapping, but pointed out that by inviting
the rebels it shows the parliament has developed a double
standard on the issue.

"So far the European Parliament condemns terrorism and refuses
to negotiate with terrorists," he said. (pan)