The Visit to the Republic of Indonesia and East Timor of Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Yoshio Mochizuki
(Outline and Evaluation)
16 April 2001
From 9 to 14 April, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Yoshio Mochizuki visited the Republic of Indonesia and East Timor. The following is an outline and evaluation of those visits.
1. Objectives
The objective of the visit to Indonesia was to conduct an exchange of views on bilateral relations and challenges being addressed by Indonesia, including economic reforms and the regional situation. As regards the visit to East Timor, the objective was to reiterate Japan's active approach to assistance as well as exchange views on the local situation, including political processes toward independence.
2. Indonesia (9 to 11 April)
Parliamentary Secretary Mochizuki met with President Abdurrahman Wahid, Minister for Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab and Speaker of the House of Representatives Akbar Tandjung.
In these meetings, Parliamentary Secretary Mochizuki conveyed Japan's unchanged position regarding assistance for Indonesia's reform efforts. He also stated that he hoped Indonesia's negotiations would be successful with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) regarding an economic reform program, that Japan continued to consider the policy of dialogue as the key to finding a peaceful solution to the Aceh issue, and that a comprehensive solution to the issue of refugees in West Timor was essential, for which Japan was prepared to consider assistance. Furthermore, Parliamentary Secretary Mochizuki requested once more that due consideration be given to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens residing in Indonesia.
In response, the Indonesian officials stated they held relations with Japan in extremely high regard and were grateful for Japanese assistance, and regarding the consultations with the IMF, commented that progress was being made despite some unsolved issues. With respect to the Aceh issue, they affirmed they were examining a comprehensive solution composed of restoration of law and order, regional development, open dialogue, and other elements. The Indonesian officials noted Indonesia's firm interest in its relations with East Timor.
3. East Timor (11 to 13 April)
Parliamentary Secretary Mochizuki exchanged views with three leaders from East Timor-President Xanana Gusmao, Vice-Presidents Jose Ramos-Horta and Mario Carrascal of the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT)-as well as Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Jean-Christian Cady of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET).
In these meetings, Parliamentary Secretary Mochizuki reiterated Japan's active approach to its assistance to East Timor. Furthermore, he stated that Japan attached importance to the following three areas from the viewpoint of promoting independence: agriculture, human resources development and infrastructure. Parliamentary Secretary Mochizuki also touched on concrete assistance, including Japan accepting East Timorese trainees for capacity-building as middle- and high-ranking government officials, accepting students to study in Japan and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries and the training of civil police officers in Japan and the Republic of Singapore.
Responding to this, President Gusmao expressed deep gratitude for Japanese assistance and explained the future political process, which will include an election process. In reference to the future political process, he noted in particular the importance of the steady implementation of elections, remarking, however, that independence was on no account being rushed. Acting Special Representative Cady also expressed deep gratitude for Japanese assistance and explained current situations, including preparations for elections.
4. Overall Evaluation
As regards Indonesia, the fact that a frank exchange of views was made possible between Indonesian Government officials and Japan on the situation regarding Indonesian Government measures for addressing economic reform and regional issues represents a significant success. In East Timor, significant success was also achieved in view of the fact that the first visit in a year by a Japanese Ministerial-level official since the visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono in 2000 enabled Japan to effectively communicate its position of active assistance and conduct a valuable exchange of views with East Timor leaders and officials from the United Nations (UN) on such matters as the future political process.
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