World told not to meddle in Maluku

JAKARTA (JP): Just several hours after the European Parliament endorsed a call for possible international intervention in the provinces of Maluku and North Maluku, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab strongly warned the international community not to intervene in Indonesia's internal affairs.

The minister also reminded that the government would not tolerate any separatist movements, including in Irian Jaya, and would not hesitate to take all means necessary to maintain the country's territorial integrity.

Speaking in a rare meeting at his office with 83 foreign ambassadors and heads of foreign missions in Jakarta, the minister urged all countries to show their understanding and support toward the government's efforts to end violence in Maluku provinces.

"The Indonesian government strongly opposes any kind of foreign interference in Maluku," he asserted.

"It is hoped that the international community will show its understanding and support the efforts by the Indonesian government to restore law and order in the provinces of Maluku and North Maluku and promote reconciliation among the people in these two provinces," Alwi said in a prepared statement.

During the one-hour meeting, the minister briefed the diplomats on the latest situation in Aceh and Irian Jaya.

"The Government of the Republic of Indonesia welcomes all international humanitarian assistance extended to the people of Maluku," the minister noted.

Alwi hinted that the conflict in Maluku basically is not a religious conflict, but more of an inter-communal conflict driven by local economic disparities, instigated by certain forces bent on destabilizing the country.

He said apart from imposing the state of civil emergency in the Mulukus, the government has also replaced all military and police personnel who were unable to show impartiality.

"The Indonesian police and the security forces on duty are under strict orders to respect and protect human rights. They have been instructed to avoid any excessive use of force," the minister remarked.

In a resolution adopted late Thursday in Strasbourg, France, the European assembly called on the 15 countries of the European Union and the European Commission, to examine how the international community can help restore peace in the islands.

"For example by sending international observers," AFP quoted the assembly's resolution.

The Roman Catholic bishop of Ambon, Mgr. Petrus Canissius Mandagi arrived in Jakarta on Friday en route to Geneva to appeal to the UN Human Rights Commission for intervention in the bloody Muslim-Christian conflict in the Malukus.

On Aceh, Alwi noted that the situation in the province has gradually returned to normal.

Despite several incidents, he said the government remains committed to the joint humanitarian pause agreed between the government and the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebel group.

"In this regard, the Indonesian government would highly appreciate the support of friendly countries for the successful implementation of the joint understanding," Alwi said.

The minister also repeated the government's rejection of the result of the recent Papuan People's Congress which declared the province's secession from Indonesia.

"Any efforts to subvert our sovereignty over Irian Jaya and to instigate separatism in that province will face a stern reaction from the Indonesian government," Alwi noted.

Iraqi Ambassador Sa'doon j.al-Zubaydi asked the minister about the official name of the province saying he often read in newspapers that the province is named Irian Jaya or Papua.

Alwi replied that the official name of Irian Jaya is unchanged.

The envoys from Canada, Britain and France complained to Alwi about the difficulties sending humanitarian assistance to riot- torn provinces, including Maluku, Aceh and Irian Jaya.

French Ambassador Gerard Cros said most French non- governmental organization (NGOs) volunteers in Maluku had to leave the region due to the worsening security situation there.

"In Maluku we are especially concerned, of course by the situation, and on your remark about humanitarian assistance. Nowadays it is very difficult there. There are several members of French NGOs that used to work in Ambon, but now they cannot," Cross noted.

The ambassador also conveyed his concern over the attacks against several French expatriates in Jakarta.

"We will try to find the best way to channel all humanitarian aid," Alwi responded.

British Ambassador Robin Christopher reiterated his government's commitment to helping Indonesia resolve the prolonged violence in Maluku.

Christopher also expressed his hope that the government would continue its dialog approach to ending unrest in Irian Jaya and in Aceh.

"Dialog will depend much on military restraint," he noted.

Alwi said the government would not repeat the mistakes of the previous government which used military force in its attempts to resolve conflicts in the regions.

"We are firm in our conviction that we will never tolerate any separatist movement. In the meantime we have given a lot of room for dialog... Dialog should go along with the restraint of the military and use of force," the minister remarked. (prb)