HC Deb 10 July 2000 vol 353 cc388-9W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek the establishment of an international fact-finding mission to undertake an impartial investigation into the atrocities in the Moluccas. [129456]

Mr. Battle

We have been deeply disturbed by reports of escalating violence in Maluku. But a solution cannot be imposed from outside. Diplomatic efforts are now focused on pressing the Indonesian Government to take urgent and effective action. I discussed the issue with the Indonesian Ambassador on 3 July. The Head of the Diplomatic Service raised our concerns directly with President Wahid in Jakarta on 4 July. We and others are continuing to urge the Indonesian authorities to redouble their efforts.

Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Indonesia in respect of the intimidation of Moluccan Christians. [128332]

Mr. Battle

We have been deeply disturbed by reports of escalating violence in Maluku. I discussed the issued with the Indonesian Ambassador on 3 July. The Head of the Diplomatic Service raised our concerns directly with President Wahid in Jakarta on 4 July. We and others are continuing to urge the Indonesian authorities to redouble efforts. The UK has seconded a specialist to work with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish mechanisms for managing the international humanitarian response. UNDP dispatched a Humanitarian Co-ordinator on a one week needs assessment visit to Maluku on 9 July.