HL Deb 09 November 2000 vol 618 cc166-7WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What matters were discussed by the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mr John Battle, during his visit to Jakarta in October; and what agreements were reached with the Indonesian authorities. [HL4404]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

As Minister of State responsible for Indonesia in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, John Battle visited Jakarta and Sulawesi from 23–25 October.

In Jakarta he called on President Wahid, Foreign Minister Shihab and Co-ordinating Minister for Politics and Security Yudhoyono, and the Indonesian Human Rights Commission (Komnasham). Among the topics discussed were West Timor, decentralisation, negotiations between the Irianese and the Indonesian Government on greater autonomy, the humanitarian pause in Aceh and Indonesian efforts to control intercommunal violence in Maluku. This was John Battle's third visit to Indonesia and helped deepen our understanding of Indonesian reform efforts. However no new agreements were reached.