§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to Indonesian Ministers on tear gas fired by police at protesters on 17 January; and if he will make a statement. [146880]
§ Mr. BattleWe understand that there was a demonstration by several thousand protesters outside the Indonesian Parliament calling for President Wahid to step down. When the demonstrators tried to force their way into the grounds of the Parliament on 17 January, the security forces responded with tear gas. We are not aware of any clashes or casualties. While we have concerns at the human rights record of the Indonesian police, on this occasion they appear to have been legitimately protecting Government buildings and staff. We have not made any representations to the Indonesian authorities on this particular event, but we continue to monitor closely events in Indonesia.