TNI considers dropping libel suit<\/p>\n
JAKARTA: The Indonesian Military (TNI) is considering dropping
\nits plan to sue U.S.-based The Washington Post daily provided it
\nwrites a letter apologizing to TNI for the use of unverified
\nintelligence reports by its reporters.<\/p>\n
Speaking after a meeting with lawyers representing the Post on
\nTuesday, TNI lawyer Trimoelja D. Soerjadi said that TNI was now
\nseeking a written apology from the Post should it object to
\ndemands to publish a front-page apology in several newspapers in
\nthe U.S. and Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"TNI objects that the Post used intelligence reports without
\ncarrying out further investigation. Nevertheless, should
\nthe Post object to TNI's demands, we (TNI) simply seek a letter
\nexpressing their apology," Trimoelja announced at a joint media
\nconference.<\/p>\n
TNI had threatened to file a US$1 billion lawsuit against the
\nPost unless the daily ran a front-page apology in Indonesian and
\nU.S. newspapers over its report that TNI leadership was
\nimplicated in killings at Timika, Papua, in August, at which two
\nAmericans and one Indonesian were killed.<\/p>\n
The story, published on Nov. 3, was written, according to the
\nPost, on information from a "highly reliable source -- a U.S.
\nofficial -- and an intercept held by Australian intelligence."<\/p>\n
According to the story, military top brass, including TNI
\nCommander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto, held a meeting to discuss the
\nattack in an attempt "to discredit the Free Papuan Movement
\n(OPM)."<\/p>\n
"In Indonesia, the use of intelligence data in newspaper
\nreports is unusual but in the U.S, which respects press freedom,
\nit is common practice," lawyer representing the Post Todung Mulya
\nLubis said at the same conference.<\/p>\n
Todung and Trimoelja said both parties, "will seek dialog to
\nexplore options for a peaceful solution" to the dispute. --JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-considers-dropping-libel-suit-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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