U.S. keeping Army out of resumed military aid
U.S. keeping Army out of resumed military aid
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono confirmed
on Friday the United States did not include the Army in the
gradual normalization of military ties with Indonesia because of
a lot of "unfinished business".
Juwono told reporters that while other military services were
being approached by the U.S., the Army was not included in joint
military training or support because it was still under scrutiny
in many incidents.
"Frankly speaking, the Army has been in the spotlight lately
because of too many problems," Juwono said.
The Army has been accused of involvement in most alleged human
rights abuses across the country.
The U.S. earlier this week signaled it was taking preliminary
steps which could lead to normalization of military ties which
were suspended following the mayhem in East Timor in September.
Juwono said full military ties could be resumed only if the
Indonesian government managed to settle East Timor border
problems and with an improvement of civilian supremacy over the
military.
"The Indonesian Navy and National Police in the near future
will receive several (types of) support from the U.S.
government," Juwono said, adding the realization would be next
month.
The support will mainly cover the purchase of military
equipment and spare parts.
"Besides military equipment, for the National Police there
will be training, especially on human rights issues," he added.
The training for the police will focus on the establishment of
a responsible and accountable judicial system for criminal and
human rights abuses cases, Juwono said.
Juwono explained that joint Air Force exercises could be held
in late July, perhaps in the Maluku islands.
"Hopefully, the U.S. will consider helping the Air Force and
the Army in the next two or three months."
Border
Meanwhile, Udayana Military Commander Maj. Gen. Kiki Syahnakri
and peacekeeping force commander Lt. Gen. Jaime de Los Santos
said after a meeting in Denpasar, Bali, on Friday that they were
pleased with the continued improvements in border security
between east and west Timor.
"Since the tactical borderlines were agreed on there have been
no more land incursions," Kiki said. He stressed the tactical
borderlines were not official demarcations for state borders.
He said the borderlines were only agreed upon for convenience
in ensuring border security.
"During the Portuguese colonial period there was a clear
border which separated east and west Timor. But after integration
it became increasingly vague as there would be villagers from
west Timor farming lands which stretched into east Timor, and
vice versa."
De Los Santos also affirmed the amiable cooperation since a
memorandum of understanding was signed on April 11 on the
tactical borders.
"I must say that since the signing of the MU the condition in
the border has been very, very positive and we also have close
cooperation between TNI (Indonesian Military) and the members of
the PKF," he said. (dja)