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| Indonesian House Speaker Asks Govt to be Clear-Cut on Afghanistan |
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FRI, OCT 12, 2001
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Indonesian House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung Friday urged the government to make another statement with more clear-cut wording on the Afghanistan issue.
"The government has responded (to the House's call to issue a statement on the Afghanistan conflict). Only, it was not sufficiently explicit," Akbar told reporters following a consultation meeting between the House and the government at the presidential palace.
Akbar said he was satisfied with the holding of the consultation meeting, which reflects the government's responsiveness to the aspirations of the House and the people.
However, he made it clear that being responsive alone would not be enough.
"Admittedly, the government has issued a statement. But it was not sufficiently explicit. The House expects the government to come up with another statement which is more clear-cut," he said.
The government issued a statement on Monday, expressing deep concern at the United States attacks on Afghanistan and urging U.S. to keep its operation limited to minimize civilian casualties.
Referring to President Megawati Soekarnoputri's statement that the government understands the people's aspirations to demand the severance of diplomatic ties with the U.S., Akbar pointed out that the government has failed to provide a clear-cut clarification on its refusal to sever the diplomatic ties.
According to him, the government should have urged the people to weigh the pluses and minuses of severing the diplomatic ties and should have provided them with the relevant considerations.
"Is severing diplomatic ties profitable? Won't it even give us a more damaging impact?" he was quoted by the Antara News Agency as saying.
Akbar stressed that all the government needs to do is to be resolute. For example, by asking the U.S. to stop bombing Afghanistan, or initiating a move for peace in the United Nations.
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