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Megawati
gives ground to critics on human rights trials
By Matthew Moore, Herald Correspondent
in Jakarta
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Indonesia's
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has acknowledged criticism
of the country's human rights tribunals, which have cleared
virtually all army and police officers of human rights abuses.
In her address to the nation on the eve of today's anniversary
of independence, Ms Megawati said she was "following
closely and listening attentively to the discourses or opinions
on these human rights trial processes".
"I am aware that, here and there, statements or even
unsatisfied sentiments have been expressed with respect
to the process and decision of those legal entities."
Her comments came soon after several countries, including
the US and New Zealand, criticised a tribunal decision to
overturn four security officers' convictions for human rights
abuses in East Timor during the 1999 vote for independence.
In a separate tribunal last week the head of Kopassus special
forces, Major-General Sriyanto Muntrasan, was acquitted
of human rights abuses for his role in killing 23 civilians
in Jakarta 20 years ago, the Tanjung Priok massacres. Human
rights groups and some survivors have condemned the finding.
Although Ms Megawati did not directly back trials' critics,
who say they are a sham, she expressed sympathy with the
victims of the abuses who had been denied justice.
Her remarks appear crafted to highlight her credentials
as a civilian compared with her rival in next month's run-off
presidential election, the former general Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono. Her campaign received a fillip on Sunday when
the leadership of the Golkar party of the former president
Soeharto agreed to endorse her as the preferred candidate.
But since voters elect a president directly, there is no
guarantee Golkar can deliver a substantial level of support,
especially as Mr Yudhoyono's deputy, Jusuf Kalla, is a former
Golkar minister. M (HC/MM/IM)
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