Generals' lawyers ready for international court
Generals' lawyers ready for international court
JAKARTA (JP): The legal defense team representing Army top
brass under scrutiny for violence in East Timor said on Thursday
they were ready to face legal proceedings including, if
necessary, an international tribunal.
"We're ready to face the international court. If the generals
are found guilty as charged, then just file it," former justice
minister Muladi, a senior consultant for the team, told
journalists.
"I believe the generals are also ready as they have the spirit
of patriots. But it's too premature to charge them as suspects,"
Muladi said after accompanying former coordinating minister for
political affairs and security Feisal Tanjung who was questioned
here by the government-sanctioned Commission of Inquiry into
Human Rights Violations (KPP HAM) in East Timor.
There has been strong pressure from several sides to hold an
international tribunal to hold those responsible for the violence
which erupted after the Aug. 30 ballot in East Timor accountable.
Indonesia has rejected the idea of an international tribunal
and instead formed its own inquiry.
In reaction to the accusations, top military brass summoned by
the inquiry, which included former Indonesian Military chief Gen.
Wiranto, have sought the services of top defense lawyers and
legal consultants.
Muladi revealed that the team had been brushing up on
international law, especially parts pertaining to the
international court.
"The process to form an international court on human rights
abuses takes quite a long time. There are procedures and
requirements. So, it's too early to be discussed (now)," he said.
Feisal
Meanwhile, Feisal Tanjung, during the questioning and later to
the media, claimed that he knew nothing of the infamous "Garnadi
Paper", a document signed by Feisal's former assistant, Maj. Gen.
(ret.) Garnadi, allegedly detailing the plan of action should
East Timorese reject the autonomy option.
"I have never seen the so-called Garnadi Paper nor read it ...
and I don't want to know a single thing about it," he retorted.
Separately, the inquiry's chairman, Albert Hasibuan, recalled
that during the closed one-hour questioning Feisal said: "I
refused to receive the paper".
Hasibuan revealed that although Feisal's answers and
statements were contrary to the commission's findings, they would
not summon him again. "Instead of questioning him again, we will
visit East Timor later next week for a final check."
He added that the inquiry had sought permission from the
United Transitional Authority for East Timor (UNTAET) to hold a
postmortem examination on slain Dutch journalist Sander Thoenes.
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