May 14, 1998 No. 123

AXWORTHY DEPLORES VIOLENCE IN INDONESIA, ENCOURAGES CANADIANS TO LEAVE JAVA AND SUMATRA, AND URGES PEACEFUL REFORMS

Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today advised Canadians to defer all travel to Indonesia. He also recommended that Canadians resident in Jakarta, elsewhere in Java and in Sumatra depart the country by the safest means, and as soon as possible. He has instructed the Canadian Embassy to remove all non-essential staff and dependants. The Embassy continues to stay in contact with the Canadian community, and remaining essential Embassy staff are available to assist Canadians who may encounter problems leaving the country.

Minister Axworthy also used the occasion to deplore the death of Trisakti University students and the escalating violence in Indonesia. He also called on the Indonesian Government to pursue peaceful reforms.

"I am deeply concerned about recent developments in Indonesia, and I urge Indonesian authorities to quickly launch full investigations to ensure prosecution of the parties responsible for the recent incidents, including the Trisakti shootings and disappearances of students and activists," said Minister Axworthy. "With the escalating violence, we think it safest for Canadians to leave the country."

The Indonesian Ambassador to Canada was called in by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to be advised of Minister Axworthy's grave concern about the situation in Indonesia and of his call for political reforms.

"We cannot tolerate the use of excessive force as a means to solve the current economic and social crisis in Indonesia," said Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific) Raymond Chan. "I strongly encourage all parties involved to engage in an open and transparent dialogue to bring about peace and stability in Indonesia."

Following his recent visit to Indonesia, Minister Chan raised the issue of activists' disappearances in a letter to the Indonesian Justice Minister. On May 5, the Canadian Ambassador to Indonesia met with the Indonesian Defence Minister to express Canada's concerns about the escalating violence and underlined the need for restraint by the security forces.

The travel advisory report can be accessed through the Web site of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca.

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Debora Brown

Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs

(613) 995-1851

Hilary Humphrey

Office of the Secretary of State (Asia-Pacific)

(613) 995-1852

Media Relations Office

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

(613) 995-1874

This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca