Britain set to train senior Kopassus's officers

Britain set to train senior Kopassus's officers

JAKARTA (JP): A London University research center is preparing to set up a five-year training project for senior officers of the Indonesian Army's Special Force (Kopassus), the London-based Guardian News Service reported yesterday.

The Centre for Defence Studies (CDS) at King's College, London University, is about to conclude an agreement with Jakarta to organize a summer school, entirely funded by the Indonesian government, for 50 senior officers covering a wide range of "military, defense and security issues", the Guardian said.

The Kopassus headquarters in Jakarta was not available for comment on the report last night.

The project's executive director, Chris Smith, said the proposal originated in Indonesia and that much of the initial initiative came from Kopassus commandant-general Maj. Gen. Prabowo Subianto.

Prabowo discussed the project during a private visit to Britain last year, Smith said.

The project, which involves two other British institutions, the University of Hull and the Royal Military College of Science, envisages a six-week seminar in Indonesia annually in the next five years.

The CDS said the decision to go ahead was only taken after a great deal of internal discussion. "We realized it is likely to be a contentious program", Smith said Tuesday.

But the CDS has "full control" over the curriculum which would include courses on human rights and international law.

The CDS was established at King's College in 1990 with a five- year core grant from the British Ministry of Defence. The funding has recently been renewed.

Indonesia has accepted a project proposal from the CDS which will be the basis for a memorandum of understanding covering the first year's seminar, and would be renewed annually.

The program will include courses on contemporary security and Southeast Asian issues, the evolution of warfare and post-cold war military thinking.

It will also stage "simulation exercises" as a means of introducing the students to "new and different ways of handling public relations".

Seminars on collective accountability, the Hague and Geneva conventions, the role and importance of non-governmental organizations and the media will also be "woven into the structure".