Fri, 28 Jul 2000

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)