FBI quizzes five military officers

JAKARTA: The Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) agents questioned on Friday five military (TNI) officers in regard to their alleged involvement in the deadly ambush in Timika, Papua that claimed two American lives and injured a dozen other civilian teachers and their children last year.

The five officers, whose names were not revealed, were on duty in the area when the incident took place.

On Thursday, the FBI agents also quizzed four military officers to obtain a comprehensive view about the incident.

Besides military officers, The FBI also questioned several civilians.

FBI agents, who started actively investigating the incident early this week, were invited by the Indonesian government because of the victims' nationalities, a phone call from President Bush to President Megawati and the impasse reached by rival police and military investigations.

Their investigation report, however, will not be used in an Indonesian court for prosecution. The main purpose is to satisfy the American people and Congress, who must choose in the near future to restore full military ties with the TNI. -- Antara