---------------------------------------------------------- Visit Indonesia Daily News Online HomePage: http://www.indo-news.com/ Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 -0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 Free Email @KotakPos.com visit: http://my.kotakpos.com/ ---------------------------------------------------------- The Straits Times, February 18, 2000 US 'Does Not Back Groups Seeking to Cut Jakarta Ties' Dismantling of Indonesia would have a 'devastating' impact throughout the region, says the State Department WASHINGTON -- Despite United States support for East Timorese independence last year, the US does not back any of the other movements seeking to cut ties with Indonesia, the State Department said on Wednesday. Assistant Secretary of State Stanley Roth said the US "does not want to be a party" to the dismantling of Indonesia, saying such an outcome would have a "devastating" impact throughout the region. Mr Roth was testifying before the House International Relations Asia-Pacific subcommittee. He said East Timor was a one-of-a-kind situation as the Indonesian conquest and annexation of the territory in the mid- 70s was not recognised internationally. He added that the same circumstances did not apply to any of the other regions where there were pro-independence movements. Mr Eni Maleomavaega, a Democratic member of Congress who represents American Samoa, took issue with him, particularly in reference to West Papua New Guinea. He said Indonesia did not have a legitimate claim to the region because of ethnic and linguistic differences and other reasons. "I consider this very shameful on the part of the administration," Mr Maleomavaega said. Mr Roth said the administration supported efforts by the Indonesian government to open a dialogue with territories that have "very legitimate grievances". One province with a strong separatist movement is Aceh, on the northern tip of Sumatra. The oil- and gas-rich territory has accused Indonesia of military atrocities and unfair economic policies. On economic issues, Treasury Undersecretary Timothy Geithner said Indonesia was getting very little foreign investment and very little return of the capital that fled the country during economic and political upheaval two years ago. But, he said he was confident that capital would return if Indonesia maintained its reformist economic policies. -- AP ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 21 Feb 2000 jam 09:08:12 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
