Accusing TNI without proof unfair: Juwono

Accusing TNI without proof unfair: Juwono

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono deplored on
Thursday unfair comments on the recent killing of a United
Nations peacekeeper near the East Timor border with Indonesia.

In a media statement, a copy of which was made available to
The Jakarta Post, Juwono said that until an investigation into
the case was completed and evidence was uncovered leading to who
committed the murder it was better for the international circle
to refrain from issuing statements that would leave Indonesia at
the receiving end.

"Until there is concrete proof, it is unfair to point a finger
at the Indonesian Military (TNI) as if it was accountable,"
Juwono said.

A New Zealand soldier who joined the UN peacekeeping force in
East Timor, Priv. Leonard William Manning, was shot dead on
Monday in the rugged town of Fato Mean, just two kilometers away
from the Indonesian border in East Nusa Tenggara, allegedly by
East Timor prointegration militia.

The incident took place when a gang of militias were
conducting a raid out of refugee camps in the area.

Manning became the first combat casualty since the arrival of
peacekeepers in September last year.

Wellington has shown great concern over the incident, with
foreign minister Phil Goff asking Jakarta to take stern measures
to stamp out rogue elements and stop the refugee camps in East
Nusa Tenggara becoming another "Gaza Strip".

TNI has deployed two army companies to search for the alleged
murderer of Manning.

Juwono said the Indonesian government had officially expressed
condolence for the death of Manning. He added the Bali-based
Udayana military commander was working closely with the UN
peacekeeping force commander to locate the murder.

He said he and TNI chief Adm. Widodo A.S. had pledged their
commitment to investigate and take legal measures against whoever
was responsible for the death of Manning when they met the UN
peacekeeping force envoys on Tuesday.

"It should be remembered that when an Indonesian policeman was
shot dead by an Australian member of the UN peacekeeping force on
Indonesian territory earlier this year, the international
community, including the UN administration in East Timor, and the
UN peacekeeping force did not apologize or express their
condolences," Juwono said.

Separately, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said
Indonesia invited New Zealand to jointly investigate the killing
of Manning.

Alwi said he would meet his New Zealand counterpart, Phil
Goff, currently in Bangkok attending the ASEAN Regional Forum
(ARF), to discuss the issue.

"Don't just accuse Indonesia of the killing out of the blue,"
Alwi was quoted as saying by Antara before leaving for Bangkok.

East Timor pro and anti-independence leaders agreed on
Wednesday to work together to speed up the return of some 100,000
refugees from camps in East Nusa Tenggara. According to the
proposal, the return of militias to East Timor will precede the
expatriation of refugees. (dja)