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.