Burma envoy unwelcome to Indonesia

"The plan to reject the ambassador gained the full support of commission and faction leaders who attended the leadership meeting and the proposal will be passed on immediately to the government," the source told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

Another anonymous source from the House's commission I on information, defense and foreign affairs said the recommendation won the support of the commission, as discussed by commission members in a meeting with Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda on Monday.

Commission chairman Theo Sambuaga said Indonesia, either alone or with other Asean member countries, should take diplomatic steps to press the military junta to stop using violence to quash rallies, release all detained pro-democracy activists and hold a general election to form a democratic government.

"The (Indonesian) government should not be ambiguous in its stance toward Burma. Harsh actions much be taken to show our strong commitment to democracy and our solidarity with pro-democracy activists in Burma," he said.

Hassan denied the government had been ambiguous in its stance toward Burma and said that compared to other ASEAN countries, Indonesia had been quite proactive in preventing bloodshed in the country.

"On Sept 27, Asean foreign ministers issued a strong statement on the armed handling of peaceful rallies in Burma," he said.

Hassan said it would not be easy for either Asean or the UN to promote democracy in Burma following the veto of a proposed UN resolution on Burma by China and Russia in January.

"Burma's problems are not just about the dictatorship and human rights abuses. Secessionism launched by minority tribes and security issues faced by the military junta are also of concern," he said.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Massie of the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) and Bahrum Siregar of the Reform Star Party (PBR) asked the government to suspend the planned assignment of an Indonesian ambassador to Burma to press the military junta to restore democracy and uphold human rights in the country.

"This diplomatic step should be taken to force the military junta to make changes. Indonesia has to take a harsh stance toward this dictatorship and show its empathy toward the National Democracy League chaired by Aung San Syu Kii," Jeffrey said.

By the Jakarta Post/Asia News Network