Accusing TNI without proof unfair: Juwono<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono deplored on
\nThursday unfair comments on the recent killing of a United
\nNations peacekeeper near the East Timor border with Indonesia.<\/p>\n
In a media statement, a copy of which was made available to
\nThe Jakarta Post, Juwono said that until an investigation into
\nthe case was completed and evidence was uncovered leading to who
\ncommitted the murder it was better for the international circle
\nto refrain from issuing statements that would leave Indonesia at
\nthe receiving end.<\/p>\n
\"Until there is concrete proof, it is unfair to point a finger
\nat the Indonesian Military (TNI) as if it was accountable,\"
\nJuwono said.<\/p>\n
A New Zealand soldier who joined the UN peacekeeping force in
\nEast Timor, Priv. Leonard William Manning, was shot dead on
\nMonday in the rugged town of Fato Mean, just two kilometers away
\nfrom the Indonesian border in East Nusa Tenggara, allegedly by
\nEast Timor prointegration militia.<\/p>\n
The incident took place when a gang of militias were
\nconducting a raid out of refugee camps in the area.<\/p>\n
Manning became the first combat casualty since the arrival of
\npeacekeepers in September last year.<\/p>\n
Wellington has shown great concern over the incident, with
\nforeign minister Phil Goff asking Jakarta to take stern measures
\nto stamp out rogue elements and stop the refugee camps in East
\nNusa Tenggara becoming another \"Gaza Strip\".<\/p>\n
TNI has deployed two army companies to search for the alleged
\nmurderer of Manning.<\/p>\n
Juwono said the Indonesian government had officially expressed
\ncondolence for the death of Manning. He added the Bali-based
\nUdayana military commander was working closely with the UN
\npeacekeeping force commander to locate the murder.<\/p>\n
He said he and TNI chief Adm. Widodo A.S. had pledged their
\ncommitment to investigate and take legal measures against whoever
\nwas responsible for the death of Manning when they met the UN
\npeacekeeping force envoys on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"It should be remembered that when an Indonesian policeman was
\nshot dead by an Australian member of the UN peacekeeping force on
\nIndonesian territory earlier this year, the international
\ncommunity, including the UN administration in East Timor, and the
\nUN peacekeeping force did not apologize or express their
\ncondolences,\" Juwono said.<\/p>\n
Separately, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said
\nIndonesia invited New Zealand to jointly investigate the killing
\nof Manning.<\/p>\n
Alwi said he would meet his New Zealand counterpart, Phil
\nGoff, currently in Bangkok attending the ASEAN Regional Forum
\n(ARF), to discuss the issue.<\/p>\n
\"Don't just accuse Indonesia of the killing out of the blue,\"
\nAlwi was quoted as saying by Antara before leaving for Bangkok.<\/p>\n
East Timor pro and anti-independence leaders agreed on
\nWednesday to work together to speed up the return of some 100,000
\nrefugees from camps in East Nusa Tenggara. According to the
\nproposal, the return of militias to East Timor will precede the
\nexpatriation of refugees. (dja)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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