TNI told to be more transparent

A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia and the United States closed two-days of defense and security talks on Thursday, with the two sides acknowledging that normalization of military ties between them depends on the outcome of internal reform in the Indonesian Military (TNI) and results of the ad hoc tribunal of officers accused of crimes against humanity in East Timor.

Head of the Indonesian delegation, Maj. Gen. Sudrajat, told a press conference at the conclusion of the meeting that the U.S. delegates suggested that the TNI conduct its reforms in a transparent way.

"The U.S. admits that the (TNI) reform is on the right track, but they asked the TNI to be more transparent in proceeding with the internal reforms," Sudrajat, who is also director-general for defense strategy at the Ministry of Defense, said.

"The TNI needs to disseminate the results of its ongoing reform to the outside world."

No member of the U.S. delegation appeared at the media briefing.

Sudrajat said that during the talks his delegation briefed their American counterparts on the TNI's ongoing reforms, including its commitment to human rights protection.

"We explained the old and new paradigm of the TNI, and we acknowledged that the reforms have not finished yet," Sudrajat said.

Internal reform within the TNI was sparked by the fall of the New Order regime in 1998 after three decades of rule in which the military played a pivotal role. The reform suggests that the military abandon its sociopolitical role and phase out its territorial function.

The U.S. cut its military ties with Indonesia in 1999 after violence ravaged East Timor following an independence vote in the former Portuguese colony. The TNI was accused of taking part in the atrocities.

A group of military officers are standing trial on charges of gross human rights violations in East Timor.

Sudrajat said the two delegations discussed a wide range of security issues, including the counter-terrorism drive, regional and global security affairs and piracy.

In their joint statement, the two delegations agreed on the need for stronger collective efforts to combat terrorism. Both sides also admitted that counter-terrorism efforts vary depending on the situation in each country.

"The September 11 attacks have reinforced the need to focus on joint efforts to fight international terrorism and other trans- national threats," the statement said.

Indonesia has come under criticisms for failing to arrest radical figures accused of having links with terrorist groups.

Sudrajat said the results of the talks were expected to strengthen the military relationship between the two countries.

"We are expecting that the results of the talks will increase confidence and mutual understanding in the defense and security ties between the two countries," Sudrajat said.

The delegations agreed to hold the second round of the official talks in early 2003 at a venue yet to be determined.