Indonesia (Hansard, 27 February 2002)

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent of popular support for the special autonomy arrangements introduced by the Indonesian Government to Aceh and Papua. [36926]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
The Special Autonomy legislation which came into effect for the provinces of Aceh and Papua on 1 January has received a mixed welcome. The UK Government believe the legislation offers a positive opportunity to the people of Aceh and Papua, and urges all elements of society in the two provinces to work together to implement the legislation in a constructive spirit to the benefit of all concerned.

§ Ann Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the likely impact on human rights of the decision of the Government of Indonesia to establish a new military command in Aceh. [36925]
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§ Mr. Bradshaw
The Indonesian Government believe the re-establishment of the Aceh military command will lead to improved accountability for the security forces and security in the province through improved communication. Any moves to increase accountability and reduce lawlessness in the province should be welcomed. We continue to impress on the Indonesian authorities the importance of upholding and promoting human rights throughout the country. On 18 February the British Ambassador in Jakarta raised our concerns about reports that the Indonesian Government intended to 'crush' the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) by military force with Co-ordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Bambang Yudhoyono.

§ Mr. Luke
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations his Department has made to the Indonesian Government on loss of life and displacement of people in the Moluccan Islands and Sulawesi. [37259]

§ Mr. Bradshaw
We welcome the recent agreements brokered by the Indonesian Government between the warring factions in both Maluku and Sulawesi to end the fighting.
The UK's message to the Indonesian Government is clear and consistent: a long-term solution to regional conflicts can be achieved only through political negotiation and consultation with the people. Together with our European partners we are in regular, top-level dialogue with the Indonesian Government, and urge them to maintain law and order and promote reconciliation in areas of conflict. The most recent direct contact was when our Chargé d'Affaires in Jakarta called on Manuel Kaisiepo, the Minister for Eastern Indonesia, on 29 November 2001.