New Zealand pays tribute to former Indonesian foreign minister

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCullyWellington  - New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully Friday expressed his country's condolences on the death of former Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas, who he described as one of South-east Asia's most eminent statesmen.

McCully said Alatas had been a good friend to New Zealand over several decades and particularly noted the role he played in building the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) into a major force for regional progress and stability.

"His influence also extended well beyond Indonesia and South-east Asia, as he played a prominent role in the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of Islamic Conference," McCully said.

"In recent years New Zealand worked with Mr Alatas in promoting the Alliance of Civilizations, which aimed to address the growing polarization between cultures, and he gave a keynote address on this topic in Auckland last year."

Alatas, who was Indonesia's Foreign Minister from 1988-99, died in Singapore, where he was receiving medical treatment, on Thursday. He was 76. (dpa)

General: