TNI and Congress<\/p>\n
The vast majority of people talk of what the Indonesian
\nMilitary (TNI) have likely done in a number of places like Papua,
\nAceh, East Timor, Poso, the Maluku islands, Kalimantan, Binjai
\nand other, not so high-profile areas, but nothing is ever said of
\nthe military that would in any way justify financial support from
\nthe U.S. Congress.<\/p>\n
The track record of accusations is almost endless, most of
\nwhich revolve around human rights violations, with smuggling,
\ndrugs and other illegal business practices thrown in to complete
\na pretty awful picture. Image is all-important, no matter whom
\nyou are.<\/p>\n
I cannot remember any positive news as regards the military
\npromoting democracy in a manner that is clear to see, sincere in
\nnature and sustainable. The comments made by Coordinating
\nMinister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono that the decision taken by Congress to withhold
\nmilitary aid was \"dramatic\" and would damage bilateral relations
\nis a bit puzzling, especially when you bear in mind the many
\npointing fingers.<\/p>\n
If we look at the British-made Scorpion tanks currently in
\nAceh and other foreign-made weapons being used against Indonesian
\nnationals, then again there is reason for caution. Loopholes can
\noften be found in words as written into contracts, and military
\ntribunals can always be manipulated from within, but \"blood
\nmoney\" (for that is what it could be) needs to be withheld if any
\ndoubts exist, whatsoever.<\/p>\n
There is another case to consider as regards TNI and the loss
\nof seats previously held in the corridors of power with regard to
\na stranglehold on all regions of Indonesia at village and
\nregional level. The question is: Who holds the real power and how
\nwill it be used?<\/p>\n
Just as Iraqis look forward to the day when the Americans
\nleave their land, so ordinary Indonesians relish the thought of
\nTNI leaving their region. I just wonder who will be first to
\nunderstand the reasons why and pack their bags accordingly.<\/p>\n
DAVID WALLIS, Gravesend, England<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-and-congress-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }