U.S. Pacific commander asks Congress to lift restrictions on TNI<\/p>\n
Agencies
\nWashington<\/p>\n
The commander of the U.S. forces in the Pacific has asked
\nCongress to lift restrictions on military cooperation with
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
The admiral warned that Indonesia, beset by separatist and
\nsectarian violence, is \"vulnerable to terrorist penetration.\"<\/p>\n
\"With many challenges on its plate, and diminishing resources,
\nIndonesia's security apparatus does not have full control of its
\nborders,\" Blair said. \"Moreover, Indonesia has not aggressively
\ninvestigated domestic elements that are sympathetic to the aims
\nof al-Qaeda.\"<\/p>\n
But the Pacific Command chief expressed its opposition to
\nlimits on U.S. military cooperation with Indonesia imposed by
\nCongress in the wake on 1999 violence in East Timor when army-
\nbacked, pro-Indonesia militias went on a bloody rampage against
\nindependence supporters.<\/p>\n
\"Current restrictions on our interaction with the TNI
\n(Indonesian military) limit our effectiveness,\" Blair said.<\/p>\n
U.S. officials believe al-Qaeda cells may be operating in
\nIndonesia, and Washington has offered financial aid to train
\nIndonesian police. The administration wants to resume military
\naid to Indonesia but is inhibited by a congressional ban imposed
\nafter the Indonesian army devastated East Timor in 1999.<\/p>\n
Blair has also asked the Congress for 5,000 more counter-
\nterrorism experts.<\/p>\n
In a sweeping overview of the security situation in the
\nregion, U.S. Pacific Command chief Admiral Dennis Blair promised
\non Wednesday an assertive strategy to combat the terrorist threat
\nwherever it existed.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot provide adequate protection to our citizens and our
\nforces while only playing defense,\" Blair told two House
\nsubcommittees, which handle Pacific, Asian and Middle Eastern
\nAffairs.<\/p>\n
But he pointed out that the events of Sept. 11, and the
\nsubsequent anti-terrorism operations around the world had created
\nnew manpower requirements.<\/p>\n
\"Over 5,000 additional billets are needed to address the full
\nrange of force protection, antiterrorism, and counter-terrorism
\nmissions throughout USPACOM,\" the admiral said.<\/p>\n
The new counter terrorism experts would participate in
\nincreased shore and harbor security patrols, operate regional
\ncommand and control facilities and take part in crisis action
\nteams, according to Blair.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Washington sent to the Philippines six more
\nmilitary helicopters and a team of aviation experts in a boost of
\nthe U.S. military presence in the southern part of the country.<\/p>\n
As many as 660 elite U.S. troops were deployed last month to
\nhelp the Philippine army combat Abu Sayyaf guerrillas believed
\nlinked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.<\/p>\n
Blair praised the government in Manila for its security
\ncooperation with Washington but warned that the war against Abu
\nSayyaf, \"will not be won by military operations alone.\"<\/p>\n
\"Improvements in law enforcement, intelligence, economics,
\nbusiness, information, media, academia, community leadership and
\nreligion will have enduring and important roles in the battle,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-pacific-commander-asks-congress-to-lift-restrictions-on-tni-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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