File spoon-archives/aut-op-sy.archive/aut-op-sy_1997/aut-op-sy.9709, message 65


Date: Mon, 15 Sep 1997 12:39:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: Chris <red-AT-iww.org>
Subject: AUT: Canada: Activists may shoo Suharto from APEC Meeting (fwd)


interesting how maybe we can flip the tables and effectively control the
movement of some oppressors across borders! consider that last month some
students and an anti-racist group effectively stopped the President of
China from receiving an honourary doctorate of law through (largely
warnings of) protests. -Chris

---------- Forwarded message ----------
** Topic: CP/AP: Suharto too scared to go to Canada **
** Written 12:26 PM  Sep 11, 1997 by kerryp-AT-jungle.ottawa.on.ca in cdp:reg.easttimor **
From: kerryp-AT-jungle.ottawa.on.ca (Kerry Pither)
Subject: CP/AP: Suharto too scared to go to Canada

Source: CP/AP

Protests might keep Indonesian leader away from Asia-Pacific summit

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -- Indonesia's president might not attend an 
Asia-Pacific leaders' summin in Canada in November because of possible 
protests over his country's human rights record in the troubled territory 
of East Timor, the foreign minister said Wednesday.

Ali Alatas said President Suharto had yet to decide whether to go to the 
18 country Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation meeting in Vancouver -- the 
region's biggest annual diplomatic event.

Alatas said Indonesian officials would gauge how serious any protests 
against Suharto might be in Canada, where there is a vocal netowrk of 
activists who want independence for East Timor.

"If our conclusion is that it could get out of hand then why should we 
subject the president to such indignites?" Alatas told the Jakarta 
Foreign Correspondents' Club. 

However he indicated that the president would not be bothered by 
"demonstrations that are well under control in accordance with the law of 
the land."

APEC groups Canada, the United States, Japan, China, Australia and most 
countries of Southeast Asia.

Alatas said Suharto, a 76-year-old former army general who has governed 
Indonesia for 31 years, believed that overseas official visits should 
produce good will, not friction between nations.

Alatas said this was one reason Suharto also had no plans to visit 
neighbouring Australia where protests over the plight of East TImor are 
common despite close co-operation on other political and economic issues.

East Timor has been wracked by civil unrest, pro-independence guerilla 
warfare and human rights abuse since Indonesia invaded the former 
Portugese colony in 1975. Indonesia annexed East Timor in 1976 and claims 
it as its 27th province.

The United Nations, currently host to talks between Indonesia and 
Portugal over the territory's future, does not recognize Indonesia's 
sovereignty there.

The Jungle BBS -- Ottawa Ontario 207.216.196.35 port 3004

** End of text from cdp:reg.easttimor **

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