UK opposes use of Hawk warplanes in Aceh

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The British government has questioned the use of HS-Hawk warplanes by Indonesia during the military operation against rebels in Aceh, saying the pre-purchase deal restricted the planes from offensive missions.

Visiting British Foreign Office Minister Mike O'Brien voiced his government's complaint during talks with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda on Tuesday.

"The U.K. considers the participation of Hawk aircraft in the ongoing military operation in Aceh a violation of a previous agreement," Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said after the meeting.

However, Jakarta dismissed the complaint, saying that the current government did not acknowledge the existence of such a deal before purchasing the aircraft in 1996.

"We do not recognize such a deal. Even if it exists, the operation in Aceh is not an offensive strike, but our move to maintain our sovereignty," Marty remarked.

Indonesia bought 24 Hawks in 1996, under a "gentlemen agreement" that would keep the country from using them in dealing with the insurgency in East Timor.

East Timor broke away from Indonesia in 1999 after a United Nations-sponsored referendum resulted in an overwhelming vote for independence.

Unlike in East Timor, Indonesia has the support of the international community over its sovereignty in Aceh, although there is broad concern about the use of military force.

British media reported earlier that Britain had repeatedly warned Indonesia against using the aircraft in any offensive operation in the natural resource-rich province.

"Senior members of the Indonesian government and the military have repeatedly promised that British-supplied equipment would not be used offensively or in violation of human rights anywhere in Indonesia," an official said as quoted by The Guardian.

The newspaper also reported that the Indonesian Military (TNI) sent four Hawks to provide air protection for the soldiers on the first day of the imposition of martial law in Aceh on May 19.

Marty underlined that the gentlemen agreement signed by the two governments in 1996 specifically dealt with East Timor and not Aceh.

"What we are doing in Aceh is not an offensive operation and it cannot be categorized as that," Marty said.

During the meeting, Indonesia questioned the purpose of Britain's move, according to Marty.

"Indonesia did not buy the planes just for an aerobatics performance on TNI anniversary of TNI every Oct. 5.

"The main point is that should we, as a sovereign country bought the equipment with good intention, fall under the control of the producing country over its usage," Marty said.

O'Brien is making a three-day visit to Indonesia and is slated to speak at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on Wednesday.

After the meeting with Hassan, O'Brien said he had received a full briefing regarding the latest situation in Aceh and steps that Jakarta had taken in dealing with the separatist movement.

He said the two ministers also discussed a number of issues, including developments in Iraq and counterterrorism cooperation between the two countries.