Jakarta turns down idea of 'open ta

[OKKAR66129@xxxxxxx]

Subject:	Jakarta turns down idea of 'open talks'
>From:	soba@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Soba)
Date:	Sat, 18 Jul 1998 09:20:52 GMT

JUL 16 1998

Jakarta turns down idea of 'open talks' 

JAKARTA -- Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas has urged fellow
Asean members against adopting a Thai proposal for members to comment
on the affairs of neighbouring countries. 

Speaking to journalists, he said that Indonesia "clearly did not
agree" with the proposal that the nine-member regional grouping modify
its long-standing practice of non-intervention in each others'
affairs. 

A Foreign Ministry spokesman said that the comments, made at the
inauguration of an Asean foundation here on Tuesday and reported
widely by newspapers yesterday, were in line with Indonesia's
long-standing policy. 

"I implore my colleagues in Asean not be be hasty... Don't be rash in
changing words and changing the principle. 

"It will only create controversy among us because Indonesia is not
willing to change this principle," The Jakarta Post quoted Mr Alatas
as saying. 

The non-interference principle, he added, was adhered to not only by
Asean, but also by the United Nations. 

Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuan's proposal for Asean members to
intervene in each other's affairs if developments were likely to
affect another country has received a lukewarm response from the other
members, except the Philippines. 

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Kobsak Chutikul said last weekend that
Bangkok's concern over the increasing political tension in Yangon last
week were an example of "flexible engagement" at work. 

Although Thailand preferred not to interfere in its neighbours'
domestic affairs, it was compelled to because unrest in the region
might affect it, he added. 

In Australia on Monday, Mr Surin said that Asean needed to be able to
dicuss issues "more openly and frankly", adding that its current
concept of "constructive engagement" was seen as too negative and
passive. 

Meanwhile, a junta official from Myanmar warned against the grouping
dropping its long-standing hands-off policy towards developments
within the borders of its member states. 

The principle was time-tested and should not be tampered with, he
said. AFP