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.