Question:
63 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the view he and his EU colleagues take of current developments in Indonesia and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4289/00]
Written Answers. - Indonesian Reform.
The Government is concerned at the extent of the challenges facing Indonesia, and its ability to meet them effectively and with full respect for democracy and human rights. These challenges range from economic and social reform, to the consolidation of democracy, the construction of civil society and the reform of the military. They are compounded by the tensions and conflicts which have also recently arisen for sectarian or separatist reasons, notably in Aceh, Ambon and Irian Jaya.
With the successful holding of the first democratic elections last June, the election of President Wahid last October and the subsequent appointment by him of his government, Indonesia is now the world's third largest democracy. It is, however, facing a series of problems, some of which arise from the legacy and abuses of the Suharto regime and some which result more directly from the Asian 1997 financial crisis.
This is the background against which the EU has made known its willingness to support and assist a strong, united and democratic Indonesia, once its international obligations in respect of the people of East Timor had been met.
While Indonesia has now accepted the result of the East Timorese referendum, there are still issues to be fully resolved in respect of East Timor such as the return of all refugees who wish to do so, the dismantling of the remaining militia elements and the follow-up to human rights violations. The EU will monitor carefully progress on these issues. At the same time, and in the expectation that these questions will be satisfactorily addressed, the EU has now started to consider how it can assist Indonesia to address the problems and challenges which I have outlined above. To this end the EU Commission has prepared a comprehensive strategy document which it presented to me and my colleagues at the General Affairs Council on Monday. This paper will now be the subject of further detailed work in the relevant bodies over coming weeks.
The international community is conscious of the dangers of tensions which could provoke further violence within Indonesia, and even lead to the fragmentation of that country, threatening the stability of the region as a whole. We are conscious, too, of the efforts which President Wahid and his Government are making to defuse tensions and address grievances. At the same time, it is essential for the credibility of these policies and for the safeguarding of Indonesia's fledgling democracy, that every effort be made to bring to justice those responsible for human rights abuses, including the perpetrators of atrocities in East Timor last year.