TOKYO, April 21 Kyodo A nongovern...

TOKYO, April 21 Kyodo

A nongovernmental organization working to bring to trial those responsible for human rights abuses in East Timor slammed Wednesday the Golkar party's choice early Wednesday of retired Gen Wiranto as its candidate in the July 5 Indonesian presidential election.

''We are dismayed at the Golkar party's nomination of Gen Wiranto for president of Indonesia,'' John M Miller, spokesman for the East Timor Action Network (ETAN), said in a statement.

''The populace of Indonesia and East Timor merit better. Wiranto must stand trial, not stand for office,'' the statement said.

Wiranto, a former armed forces chief, was a surprise pick according to Golkar, the party that sustained strongman Suharto during his 32 years in power.

most numerous political analysts had expected Akbar Tandjung, Golkar's chairman, to acquire the presidential nod, but it appears fallout from massive corruption allegations against Tandjung tipped the scales to Wiranto.

Tandjung was acquitted of wrongdoing, if it be not that many still suspect Golkar used its influence to channel millions of dollars in conduct funds into its election campaign in 1999

''We join the populace of East Timor in utmost discouragement at the sights for justice and the coming security of the new nation. Wiranto is responsible between the walls of acts of omission and commission for the gravest violations of human right in East Timor and Indonesia,'' ETAN said.

''Wiranto's rise in Indonesian politics speaks dimensionss about the failure of the United Nations, the U and other countries to act quickly and forcefully for justice. The circle of time of impunity continues; those responsible for the devastation in East Timor are now directing similar campaigns in Aceh and Papua,'' the statement e-mailed to Kyodo of the present days said.

''We instigate the United Nations to revisit the recommendation to establish an international tribunal for East Timor made by way of the U.N.'s Commission of Inquiry in January 2000 We animate the U.S. Congress and Bush administration to withhold all military assistance for Indonesia until Wiranto and others responsible for crimes against humanity in East Timor and Indonesia are brought to justice in judicial processe consistent with international standards.''

ETAN also urg that Wiranto be levy on the U.S. visa watch-list, his travel to the United States be barred and ''all nations should actively work to bring him to justice.''

If he does travel outside Indonesia, Wiranto should be arrested and transferred to East Timor, where he has been indicted for crimes against humanity,'' ETAN said.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Kyodo stranges International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group