Fight looms in over RI military curb

Fight looms in over RI military curb

Ken Guggenheim, Associated Press/Washington

The U.S. Congress is gearing up for a fight about whether to ease
restrictions on military ties with Indonesia.

Last week, Republican Sen. Kit Bond, speaking on the Senate
floor, praised Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as a
reformer and urged improved military ties between the two
countries.

On Tuesday, Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy responded that the
restrictions were reasonable and should not be lifted until
Indonesia has proved its commitment to human rights.

While democratic changes have reduced the Indonesian
military's influence in politics, "a key gap remains regarding
justice for the victims of atrocities, including crimes against
humanity," Leahy said on the Senate floor.

Officials of the Bush administration have suggested that the
restrictions be reconsidered.

In a visit to Indonesia last month, Deputy Defense Secretary
Paul Wolfowitz said the United States needs to consider how it
can strengthen Indonesia's democracy. He said closer contact with
the U.S. military would strengthen the Indonesian military's
commitment to human rights.

Alan Larson, the undersecretary of state for economic affairs,
said at a congressional hearing last week that the Indonesian
military could have responded better to December's tsunami "if
they had had more operational experience in working with the
United States, stronger English capabilities, and if they had had
more capable equipment."

Congress severed military aid to Indonesia in 1999 when
Indonesian soldiers were blamed for widespread killing and
destruction of property in the separatist East Timor region.
Congress later prohibited resumed military ties until the U.S.
government has determined that Indonesia is cooperating fully
with an FBI investigation of the Aug. 31, 2002, killings of two
American teachers in Papua province.

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that aides to
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are recommending she report
to Congress that Indonesia is cooperating.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Monday no
decision has been made. "It's a situation, though, that is under
review, and we have been looking at it," Boucher said.

In his Senate speech, Bond said Susilo has made "a strong
commitment to reform, to a recognition of human rights and to
fighting corruption. "

Bond said the restrictions have hurt Indonesia's ability to
relieve suffering in the aftermath of the tsunami. He said
Indonesia could not buy spare parts for C-130 transport planes,
and the U.S. military had difficulty communicating with its
Indonesian counterparts because they speak English so poorly.
"If our forces are to participate in military or relief
operations with those of friendly nations, we must train
together," Bond said.

Leahy, the top Democrat on the Senate subcommittee that
oversees foreign aid spending, said the restrictions do not
prevent the Indonesian military from participating in some
training programs and military exercise. He said the United
States allowed Indonesia to buy C-130 spare parts for
humanitarian purposes.

"Our law, which was narrowly written to provide an incentive
for reform while allowing military contacts to continue, strikes
the right balance," Leahy said.