---------------------------------------------------------- The US government makes available 55.000 GREEN CARDS (permanent residence visa) in a random lottery. Visit http://www.us-immigration.org for details on how to play the GREEN CARD LOTTERY -0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 Indonesia Daily News Online http://www.indo-news.com/ Free Email @KotakPos.com visit: http://my.kotakpos.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------- The Indonesian Observer, Wednesday, September 20, 2000 Rais blasts Cohen JAKARTA (IO) - People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais has lashed out at US Defense Secretary William Cohen for warning Indonesia that failure to take swift action against the murderous militia bandits in West Timor could threaten economic aid. "That [warning] is going too far and cannot be tolerated. It indicates arrogance which is a breach of diplomatic practices," Rais told reporters after heading a leadership meeting of the MPR at parliament yesterday. Cohen on Monday had pointed out that Indonesia could face diplomatic isolation and may lose aid if refuses to dissolve the militias, which on September 6 hacked to death three foreign UN humanitarian workers. Cohen said military cooperation between Indonesia and the US would be restored only after Jakarta gave a firm commitment to disbanding the militia gangs that have also killed peacekeepers in UN-administered East Timor. Rais was outraged that a foreigner had warned Indonesia to get its act together and stop the militias. "A hundred or a thousand Cohens must not weaken our enthusiasm. We are committed to processing all crimes in line with our own laws, without any foreign interference," he snapped. Asked whether Indonesia is prepared to face a possible embargo, Rais said: "Why not? Any country that has consistency will be respected. Look at Malaysia or Libya, their consistency has brought them to a respectable position. If we, with a population of nearly 210 million, start to weaken, it would be a sign that in future will be pawns in the games of big countries," he added. A senior adviser to the president, Frans Seda, said the government must not be afraid of any threats from the US because America often threatens other nations. Rais late on Monday had also condemned Cohen, saying: "Whatever we decide in regard to the issues, whether or not the government will disband the militias, it should be based on what we ourselves think is best and not on what Mr Cohen tells us to do." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 21 Sep 2000 jam 06:42:21 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
