U.S. Embassy denies arrested American is a spy
JAKARTA (JP): The United States Embassy denied claims by Indonesian Minister of Defense Mahfud MD that an American "infiltrator" apprehended in Irian Jaya was a spy, and warned that the treatment of the American "tourist" would force other prospective visitors to reconsider travel plans to the country.
The embassy said in a statement released here on Monday it was "dismayed and perplexed" by Mahfud's false charges, while describing the American as a "tourist". It also denied that U.S. Ambassador Robert Gelbard intervened in the deportation of the American.
"This treatment of an American tourist, combined with other disturbing security trends, will undoubtedly cause other prospective tourists to reconsider plans they may have for travel in Indonesia," the embassy said.
It further added that the United States was dismayed and perplexed by these and other recent false charges by Mahfud against the United States and Gelbard, suggesting there may be a pattern of disinformation to create a climate of anti- Americanism.
Mahfud claimed on Sunday a U.S. citizen named Aaron Ward Maness had been apprehended in Irian Jaya.
According to Mahfud, Ambassador Gelbard took Manesse as he was about to be deported by authorities, saying he was not a spy.
Mahfud said there was no concrete evidence linking Maness with espionage activities, however his activities in Irian Jaya in early October warranted strong suspicion. Mahfud described Maness as an "infiltrator".
Separately, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab called on the public not to jump to assumptions that the United States was engaged in espionage in Indonesia.
"The actions of one person cannot be used as a reflection of the policy of the U.S. government as a whole," Alwi said here on Monday.
He further said there was no immediate need to summon Ambassador Gelbard. "No, there is no need to summon Ambassador Gelbard. It's enough for our director general to call him up on the telephone and seek clarification."
Alwi said he had not spoken with Mahfud about the allegations.
Wamena
Meanwhile there continues to be conflicting reports that some 65 migrant settles in Tiom district were being "restricted" from moving by Irian Jaya separatist supporters.
Officials in Jakarta on Monday said that the settlers were being held, but refrained from describing them as hostages.
In Wamena police have denied it saying that it was just a transportation problem.
"I have been informed by the National Police Chief about what exactly happen with them. They are not being held hostage. They are just being restricted to move out. The migrants include teachers," Coordinating Minister for the Political, Social, and Security Affairs Gen. (ret.) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said.
In Wamena, Jayawijaya Police chief Supt. Daniel Suripatty refuted media reports that the migrant settlers were being held.
He claimed the settlers were merely unable to travel outside of the district because public transportation vehicles had yet to resume plying the Wamena-Tiom route.
Most activities in the area ground to a halt and are only now resuming following a bloody riot which hit the small hinterland town of Wamena on Oct. 6.
Several media reported as many as 60 migrant settlers were being held hostage in Tiom district, some 270 kilometers from Wamena.
The reports claimed several locals in the area had threatened to kill the settlers if the government enforced its order to lower the separatist Morning Star flag.
But Daniel insisted these reports were untrue. "The migrants are safe in their own houses and continue with their activities," he was quoted by Antara as saying.
He asserted security in Jayawijaya regency had improved and public activities had resumed as normal.
He also said the order to lower the separatist flag was being heeded without the need for force. "There are no longer any separatist flags flying in Jayawijaya." (02/byg/lup)