Hendro welcomes reopening of Lampung case

Hendro welcomes reopening of Lampung case

JAKARTA (JP): Responding to the growing demand for the
reopening of past human rights abuses in the country, the former
chief of Lampung Military Command Lt. Gen. A.M. Hendropriyono
said on Friday he welcomed an investigation into alleged military
abuse during the quelling of a rebel group in the province in
1989.

"If I don't agree (with the demand), people will accuse me of
hiding something," Hendropriyono told a news conference here.

"I am not someone special who has the authority to disagree or
agree with public demand."

Friday's media briefing was held in response to a mounting
demand for the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
to inquire into the military crush of members of a Muslim group
led by Anwar Warsidi in the South Lampung village of Talang Sari
III. At least 30 people were killed in the incident, according to
witnesses.

Hendropriyono, who led the operation in his capacity as the
province's military commander, said the crackdown was conducted
in response to the growing anxiety among the public over the
group's activities.

The operation involved local people, according to Hendro, who
is also former transmigration and resettlement of forest nomads
minister.

"It was not a military operation. It was jointly conducted by
military personnel and locals," Hendro said.

Hendro conceded that the military troops deployed were fully
armed after receiving a tip-off that the rebel group had prepared
arrows and other sharp weapons. He said the soldiers opened fire
after Warsidi's supporters attacked them with arrows.

"If we were not carrying any weapons, we would not have been
able to quell them," he said.

Hendro said he did not know the precise number of fatalities
resulting from the raid. (emf)