JAKARTA, Indonesia – Agriculture was the focus of Ralph Goodale’s trade mission to Indonesia last week, but when he had the chance, he raised Canada’s concerns about human rights abuses.
He also put in a good word for the dozens of Canadian companies facing delays on mining projects.
And he was able to raise the issues at the highest level in a meeting with Indonesian president Suharto. The meeting was a rare one for Suharto, who usually only meets heads of state.
Goodale said the meeting was probably due to Suharto’s keen interest in agricultural developments and also because Goodale was the first Canadian minister to visit since prime minister Jean ChrŽtien was here in early 1996.
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Indonesia has been criticized for its repressive handling of East Timor since it invaded the island in 1975.
However, in the last couple of years there has been a change in attitude including the creation of a human rights commission that is not just the puppet of the government.
“Our approach is one of engagement, not isolation… . Isolation tactics only make a situation worse not better,” Goodale told reporters.
Suharto did not reply to Goodale’s comments on human rights.
“Clearly by body language, the look on his face and nodding of his head … the point was registered,” Goodale said.
Workshop held
The Canadian Human Rights Commission is working with its Indonesian counterpart and last week sponsored a three-day workshop in Jakarta on human rights issues, he noted.
Goodale also raised the possibility of exchanges between members of Parliament and even a visit of Canadian parliamentarians to East Timor.
On the mining issue, Goodale expressed the concerns of about 80 construction and mining companies that are stalled because the government has not issued a “contract of work” on the Busang gold property.
