President Advised to Clarify Netherlands Visit's Cancellation

Rabu, 6 Oktober 2010 15:01 WIB

Makassar, S Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been urged to give an immediate clarification of his decision to cancel his state visit to Holland.

The clarification is needed to maintain the existing cordial relations with the Netharlands, Prof.Dr.Aswanto of Hasanuddin University said here Wednesday.

"It would be a matter of great regret if the two countries' diplomatic relations that have so far been running well and harmoniously are disturbed (by the cancellation)," he said.

The cancellation would only have a minor impact on the two countries' bilateral relations if President Yudhoyono could clarify what had actually prompted to cancel the visit, he said.

Prof.Dr.Aswanto said Dutch leaders might be disappointed with President Yudhoyono's decision because his state visit was to be done at the official invitation of the Dutch queen.

Therefore, an immediate clarification was important to avoid an adverse impact on the two countries' diplomatic ties, he said.

The same step was also taken by US President Barack Obama when he repeatedly delayed his trips to Indonesia and Australia this year.

Obama directly clarified his reasons for postponing his state visit to avoid unnecessary disturbances to his country's diplomatic relations with Indonesia, he said.

President Yudhoyono canceled his three-day state visit to the Netherlands on Tuesday on indications a certain group in Holland was planning to raise human right issues against Indonesia.

Speaking to newsmen at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport, East Jakarta, he said his state visit to Holland had to be postponed until a yet to be determined time frame.

The head of state and his entourage had been scheduled to leave Jakarta by the Indonesian Air Force One (Garuda Indonesia's Airbus 330-200) on Tuesday at about 01:30 pm local time.

As a result of the movement of certain elements in Holland that would file lawsuit on human rights issues in Indonesia, President Yudhoyono said he decided to cancel his state visit.

"More than that, there has even been a demand for the arrest of Indonesia's president," he said.

A spokesman of the Indonesian Embassy in The Hague, Firdaus Dahlan, said earlier that the Dutch government would fully ensure the security of President Yudhoyono during his visit.

The Dutch government's assurance was issued following a threat from John Wattilete, the self-styled president of the separatist "Republic of South Maluku" (RMS) movement in exile.
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