WASHINGTON - US SECRETARY of State Condoleezza Rice paid tribute to former Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas who died on Thursday, remembering him for his work to promote peace and democracy in Southeast Asia.

'On behalf of the United States, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of former foreign minister Ali Alatas and to the people of Indonesia,' Dr Rice said in a statement.

'He was a respected statesman, who will be remembered for his efforts to ensure peace and security in Southeast Asia,' she said.

'As foreign minister of Indonesia, Ali Alatas brokered the historic 1991 Cambodian peace settlement,' she added.

He also helped lead the Association of South East Asian Nations's effort to 'enshrine the values of democracy and respect for human rights in the Asean Charter', said the chief US diplomat.

An official said that Mr Alatas died of a heart attack in hospital in Singapore on Thursday aged 76. Mr Alatas was admitted to an Indonesian hospital on November 20 but was moved to Singapore four days later. -- AFP