WRITTEN QUESTION P-0926/00

by José Ribeiro e Castro (UEN) to the Commission

(22 March 2000)

Subject: New relations between the EU and Indonesia

The Commission has announced that it wishes to adopt a new policy vis-à-vis Indonesia and that it is preparing a cooperation agreement. President Abdurrahman Wahid recently visited Brussels where he had meetings with the Commission President, Romano Prodi, during which the topic was apparently raised. As a follow-up, Chris Patten, Commissioner, is due to make a working visit to Indonesia.

Moves to encourage the consolidation of democracy in Indonesia may be looked upon with approval. However, it should not be forgotten that the situation is still critical and uncertain and that a solution has yet to be found to certain essential issues which have justifiably attracted the attention of the international community and, in particular, of the European Union. This is the case with East Timor, whose file cannot yet be regarded as closed, and also (amongst other violent cases of human rights abuse in Indonesia) with the situation in the Moluccas. The five recent resolutions adopted by the European Parliament(1) between September 1999 and January 2000 may in particular be referred to.

Any new European Union initiative relating to Indonesia must therefore meet the following conditions if it is to be successfully implemented: [I] a guarantee that the Indonesian Government will not raise any objection to a full investigation and the subsequent trial, under UN auspices, of those responsible for the serious incidents which occurred in East Timor in 1999 and for the brutal human rights abuses committed there, and that it will make an active contribution in those areas, both internally and internationally; [II] a guarantee that the Indonesian Government will assume its responsibilities by contributing financially to the reconstruction of East Timor, which was completely destroyed whilst under the authority of the Indonesian military; [III] full, unrestricted repatriation of the tens of thousands of East Timorese who are currently living in concentration camps in West Timor or in other parts of Indonesia; [IV] guarantee that there will be no backsliding in Indonesia's democratisation process and that the military will be kept well away from the centres of political decision-making; [V] guarantee that the Indonesian Government will fully respect East Timor's independence and that it will be a good neighbour to the newly independent country; [VI] guarantee that the Indonesian Government will fully respect human rights throughout its territory both uphold them and ensure that they are upheld.

Does the new Commission initiative on relations with Indonesia meet these six requirements and have they featured in the Commission's dealings with the Indonesian authorities?

(1) Resolution on the situation in East Timor (B5-0067/1999) of 16 September 1999; resolution on the serious human rights violations in the Moluccas (B5-0145/1999) of 7 October 1999; resolution on East Timor (B5-0271/1999) of 18 November 1999; resolution on Indonesia (B5-0339/1999) of 16 December 1999; resolution on the situation in the Moluccan Islands (B5-0034/1999) of 20 January 2000.

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 April 2000)

The Commission's communication to the Council and Parliament(1) on Developing closer relations between Indonesia and the European Union is a response to the Union's need to re-define, in the light of recent developments, its relations with this important country. It acknowledges the difficulties of an Indonesia in transition, and offers an active strategy to develop a constructive and comprehensive dialogue, to promote political stability and good governance, to anchor democracy, and to assist reform and the restoration of economic confidence. It does not propose the conclusion of a cooperation agreement. On 20 March 2000, the Council adopted conclusions endorsing the direction of the Commission's communication, which is also consistent with the spirit of past Parliament resolutions.

In the Commission's view, the Indonesian government is making praiseworthy efforts to address the challenges it faces. These include violent regional unrest, structural economic and social problems, the need to define the future position of the armed forces, and the need to implement effective administrative and fiscal decentralisation. In its contacts with the Indonesian government, most recently at the first Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on 30 and 31 March 2000, the Commission welcomed the Indonesian government's reforms, and its commitment to promote and uphold the respect of human rights and the rule of law.

The proposed new dialogue with Indonesia will not affect the Commission's commitment to East Timor, where it is contributing actively to the massive joint reconstruction effort being undertaken by the international community. The Commission has explicitly stressed to the Indonesian authorities, on a number of occasions, the need for close and neighbourly relations between Indonesia

and East Timor. These have improved notably following the visit of Indonesian President Wahid to Dili. The Commission shares the serious concerns expressed regarding the continued presence of displaced people in West Timor, and remains ready to support the efforts of the Indonesian authorities and the international community to resolve the issue of their future.

The Commission is also following closely Indonesia's investigative efforts to establish the truth regarding past human rights abuses in East Timor. It welcomes the declared commitment of the Indonesian authorities to bring to trial those responsible for such abuses.

(1) COM(2000) 50 final.