Legislators hold hearing at Army HQ

JAKARTA: Unlike regular hearings at the House of Representatives, Commission I on foreign and defense affairs held on Monday a hearing at Army headquarters on Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta.

Over 20 legislators, who traveled to the hearing in three Army buses, questioned the Army on several issues including the ongoing Aceh conflict and the role of the National Intelligence Body.

"There is nothing special about the hearing," said a legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) during lunch.

The Commission I delegation was led by chairman Ibrahim Ambong, and most commission members attended the meeting, including Permadi, Amris Hassan, Ahmad Sumargono, Happy Bone, Astrid Soesanto, Chatibul Umam Wiranu and Effendy Choirie.

Army Chief Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu led the Army delegation, which included Army Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) Chief Maj. Gen. Bibit Waluyo, Special Forces (Kopassus) Chief Maj. Gen. Sriyanto and Military Police Chief Maj. Gen. Sulaeman A.B. -- JP

RI seeks E. Timor clarification

JAKARTA: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeks a clarification on East Timor's call for an international tribunal against Indonesian Military (TNI) officials for human rights abuses.

Foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda said on Monday that his officials had met with the East Timorese charge d'affairs for an explanation.

"The East Timorese official said he would confirm the reports with Dili and we'll wait for further information," he said.

East Timorese Prime Minister Mari Alkatiri said last week that he was not satisfied with the ongoing ad hoc human rights tribunal against TNI personnel allegedly involved in the 1999 East Timor massacre and would thus call for an international tribunal.

Jakarta said the statement was "a concern", as it was contrary to both countries' stance in developing bilateral relations.

Hassan said his office would wait for a reply before following up with the matter. -- JP