TUESDAY, 5:30PM:
INDONESIA’S President Suharto arrives in South Africa on Thursday for a three day visit — but a demonstration by senior Cosatu officials outside the Indonesian embassy made it clear that not everyone will make him welcome.
Cosatu has departed from the cautious stance of its alliance partner, the ANC, by making a blunt accusation against Indonesia of gross human rights violations. Placards outside the embassy called: “Mandela, no deals with murderer Suharto.” A letter handed to the embassy said: “We are disturbed by the continuous massacres that have characterised the occupation of East Timor … We wish to express in no uncertain terms that we are totally appalled by this situation.”
Leading Wednesday’s protest was Cosatu general secretary Sam Shilowa, who said Suharto’s treatment of political opponents and trade unionists in Indonesia and East Timor was unacceptable. “We will oppose whatever violation of trade union rights, wherever it may occur.”
But Cosatu did make one concession to the ANC by welcoming President Nelson Mandela’s attempts to negotiate a settlement with east Timorese political leaders, saying that Suharto would be welcome if he displayed an open mind towards Mandela’s call.
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