Fatal shooting sparks tough words

Fatal shooting sparks tough words

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Australia traded tough words on
Monday as they reproached one another over the fatal shooting of
an Indonesian police officer in Sunday's mix-up over the East
Timor border.

Foreign Minister Ali Alatas on Monday said the death of Pvt.
Hari Sudibyo should be regretted.

"Even though what really happened is still being investigated,
the incident should be deeply regretted," Alatas told journalists
at Merdeka Palace.

"Even if this was a result of an accident, because of a
difference in maps, I still think it's strange because how could
Interfet which is supposedly equipped with such sophisticated
equipment make such a mistake," he said referring to the
Australian led International Force for East Timor (Interfet).

"I hope this does not have long term repercussions. And I hear
both sides are going to investigate the incident".

It is still unclear as to what exactly happened on Sunday
afternoon.

Indonesia claims that Interfet troops were confused on the
exact location of the border and attacked an Indonesian border
post in the area.

Australia claims that their forces were still within East
Timor and that they were shot at first.

The Indonesian Military (TNI) on Sunday said that a company of
Interfet troops breached the Indonesian border and attacked a
border post near the Montael area.

A policeman died and two others were injured.

This is the first direct clash between Indonesian and Interfet
forces.

TNI spokesman Maj. Gen. Sudradjat also blamed the incident on
Interfet troops. He said the Indonesians returned fire only after
they were showered with bullets.

Hari Sabarno, chairman of the TNI/National Police faction in
the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) also condemned the
attack.

"There could have been more casualties on our side if we
hadn't returned fire," he said.

He further criticized Interfet for failing to recognize the
Indonesian post. "The Australian force was only 200 meters from
the post. They must have known, using binoculars, that it was an
Indonesian military post," he asserted.

Meanwhile in Dili, East Timor, the commander of Interfet
troops Maj. Gen. Peter Cosgrove was furious at Indonesian forces
accusing them of "villainy" for allegedly firing at his troops.

"There is no question that the place we were at was well
inside East Timor," he said.

"To be fired at when you are a good 600 to 800 metres inside
East Timor is just an act of villainy," Cosgrove was quoted by
DPA as saying.

Meanwhile in Canberra, Prime Minister John Howard told the
Australian parliament on Monday that he was calling for urgent
high-level talks with Indonesia following Sunday's incident.

"We're seeking urgent high-level discussions in Dili and
Jakarta to agree on measures to reduce the chances of similar
incidents in future near the East Nusa Tenggara border," he said
as quoted by Reuters.

"The government regards the incident in the most serious
terms," Howard said.

"It shows that some elements in TNI may be disregarding the
terms of the UN Security Council... and continuing to support
militia groups." (prb/05)