U.S. House denies military aid to TNI

U.S. House denies military aid to TNI

Associated Press, Washington

The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Wednesday (Thursday
Jakarta time) to deny military aid to Indonesia until Indonesia
conducts a thorough investigation into an ambush last year that
killed two Americans.

Republican Joel Hefley, who sponsored the measure, said the
Indonesian government has dragged its feet on investigating the
ambush, in which preliminary reports suggested that Indonesian
soldiers may have been involved in the deadly shooting.

In August 2002, teachers from the Tembagapura International
School were headed for a picnic in Papua, Indonesia, when two
vehicles carrying passengers were ambushed.

Three teachers -- two Americans and one Indonesian -- were
killed in the attack. The two Americans were identified as Rick
Spier and Ted Burgon. Eight others were wounded, including a six-
year-old child.

Spier's widow, Patsy, who was shot in the back and foot,
sought Hefley's support in pushing for a full investigation.

"The victims of this attack and their families deserve a
thorough investigation by the Indonesian and U.S. governments,"
said Hefley.

Papua Police authorities launched an investigation into the
fatal ambush last year and concluded that certain elements in the
military may have had a hand in the killing.

The report was immediately refuted by the military leadership,
which immediately formed a joint military-police investigating
team to probe the shooting. Military leaders have repeatedly
denied involvement in the incident.

Several agents of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation are
currently in Indonesia to investigate the ambush after they were
denied access to key witnesses in the killing when they came for
the first time last year.

Police authorities, however, said earlier that those agents
would not conduct their own investigation but help Indonesian
police in their investigation.

"It is not too much to demand answers about who orchestrated
and carried out this ambush and see the perpetrators brought to
justice," Hefley said.

If enacted, the provision would withhold military education
and training funds until a thorough investigation is complete.

The amendment was added to the Foreign Relations Authorization
Act and approved by the House on Wednesday. A similar effort is
being led by Senator Russell Feingold in the Senate.