U.S. embargo on defense training

The steps recently taken by the U.S. Congress to postpone disbursement of funds for defense training in Indonesia needs to be seen in the light of the tragic murder of an Indonesian and two American teachers almost a year ago in Papua.

The move to block military aid to Indonesia by the U.S. Congress was not taken lightly by the authorities in either Indonesia or the United States. Moreover, the linking of further defense aid to finding the perpetrators in Papua is confusing, as pointed out in Bantarto Bandoro's article of July 25.

The embargo on U.S. funds to train the Indonesian Military is the U.S. Congress' way of encouraging the Indonesian government to increase its efforts to find the perpetrators of the Timika murders. The killing of international school teachers, without bringing the culprits to justice, cannot be good for either country.

What has further confused the issue is that the move by Congress to restrict aid was instituted over the objections of the Bush administration and the Pentagon, both of which wish to reinstitute military ties at this time.

The initiative by Congress to place a temporary embargo on the release of defense funds shows that the legislature has the right and responsibility to check the executive when it feels it necessary to protect its constituents. The aforementioned is one example of the way in which the U.S. democracy functions.

If the Timika investigation successfully identified those responsible for the murder of one Indonesian and two Americans, that would undoubtedly lead to a normalization of the ties between the two nations.

WILLIAM KOEPKE, Oregon, United States