The Age (Melbourne)
9/11/00
Irian Jaya could follow Timor way
Source: AAP|Published: Thursday November 9, 7:17 AM
Indonesia accepted that its province of Irian Jaya would follow in the
footsteps of East Timor in seeking independence if human rights were not
observed there, Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab said.
"I think this is a universal premise", Shihab told AAP last night before
departing for a meeting of Islamic countries in the Middle East nation of
Qatar.
With relations still tense over Australia's role in establishing peace in
East Timor after a vote for independence last year, Shihab this week
requested clarification from his Australian counterpart Alexander Downer of
his comments about the Papuan independence movement.
Downer told Meet The Press that human rights there had to be observed,
otherwise secessionist movements would be encouraged.
In recent months, security forces and independence fighters have clashed,
sometimes fatally, as authorities attempt to prevent the raising of the
Morning Star flag, a symbol of independence in Irian Jaya.
Shihab said he accepted Downer's remarks as a "reminder", which would be
said to an equal, rather than as a "warning", which was used for a child.
"He is only reminding us if the human rights violation takes place in Irian
Jaya, as was the case in East Timor, it is likely Irian may follow suit",
Shihab said.
Asked whether he agreed with this claim, he said:
"We know that there are so many malpractices of the past, injustices and we
would like to correct that, so it is very valid."
Shihab also said he was not offended by last month's communique from the
Pacific Islands Forum calling on Indonesia and the Papuan independence
movement to exercise restraint
"We have to verify the statement", he said. He said he would accompany a
delegation of ministers to Canberra on December 10 to prepare for the
long-delayed and controversial visit of President Abdurrahman Wahid in late
January or early February.
"It is up to the Australians to fix the date in late January or the first
week of February, but we are ready to go ahead", he said of the President's
visit.
Last month, Shihab cancelled a ministerial delegation just days before it
was set to take place.
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