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.