EU/Indonesia relations: strategy

The European Parliament adopted the report by Mrs Hanja MAIJ-WEGGEN (EPP/ED, Nl) by 501 votes to 4 with 25 abstentions. (Refer to the previous document). In addition to what was expressed in the previous document, the European Parliament supports the intention of the Indonesian Government to improve human rights by improving legislation, strengthening the National Human Rights Commission (KomNasHAM) and establishing special tribunals for human rights. It also calls on the Government to allow international observers to attend the special tribunals, and to clarify as soon as possible the scope of the amendment to the clause in the constitution on retroactive effect. With regard to trade, the Commission is called upon to act jointly with Indonesia in the WTO to press for a speedy start to a comprehensive round of trade negotiations and also to consider bringing Indonesia back into the EU's generalised system of preferences (GSP) in view of the fall in incomes in the last two years. Lastly, an amendment welcomes the overturning by the Supreme Court of the decision that former President Suharto was unfit to stand trial and calls for him to face a new trial.�