Australian SAS to train Kopassus: Report

Australian SAS to train Kopassus: Report

Agence France-Presse, Sydney

Australian special forces are reportedly set to resume training with Indonesia's elite Kopassus unit, more than five years after ties were suspended over allegations it was behind human rights abuses in East Timor, the former name of Timor Leste.

The Sydney Morning Herald said Kopassus commander Maj. Gen. Syaiful Rizal had confirmed training with the Perth-based Special Air Service (SAS) regiment would begin next year.

Rizal said Kopassus troops were scheduled to undergo counter- terrorism training with the SAS next April and Australian special forces would then carry out anti-guerrilla training in Indonesian jungles.

"The cooperation will be resumed in 2006 in Australia," he told the newspaper. "This shows that Indonesia and Australia have a strong commitment to fight terrorism."

Rizal said the training would broaden the horizon and skills of his troops.

"Besides, we are neighboring countries. We are supposed to be on good terms and we are on good terms," he added.

Asked about the report, the Australian Defense Department said it wanted to develop ties with Indonesian counter-terrorism forces but no joint exercises had yet been finalized.

"The Bali bombing of Oct. 1, 2005, highlighted the importance of continuing to work with Indonesia to combat terrorism," a spokesman told AFP.

He said the Australian and Indonesian military were taking steps towards cooperating in the areas of hostage recovery and counter hijacking.

Kopassus is alleged to have been linked to militia gangs which went on a rampage and killed 1,400 people after Timor Leste voted for independence from Indonesia in a UN-sponsored ballot in August 1999.

Timor Leste, which became Indonesia's youngest province in 1975, gained full independence in May 2002 after more than two years of United Nations stewardship.