U.S. Pacific commander asks Congress to lift restrictions on TNI

U.S. Pacific commander asks Congress to lift restrictions on TNI

Agencies Washington

The commander of the U.S. forces in the Pacific has asked Congress to lift restrictions on military cooperation with Indonesia.

The admiral warned that Indonesia, beset by separatist and sectarian violence, is "vulnerable to terrorist penetration."

"With many challenges on its plate, and diminishing resources, Indonesia's security apparatus does not have full control of its borders," Blair said. "Moreover, Indonesia has not aggressively investigated domestic elements that are sympathetic to the aims of al-Qaeda."

But the Pacific Command chief expressed its opposition to limits on U.S. military cooperation with Indonesia imposed by Congress in the wake on 1999 violence in East Timor when army- backed, pro-Indonesia militias went on a bloody rampage against independence supporters.

"Current restrictions on our interaction with the TNI (Indonesian military) limit our effectiveness," Blair said.

U.S. officials believe al-Qaeda cells may be operating in Indonesia, and Washington has offered financial aid to train Indonesian police. The administration wants to resume military aid to Indonesia but is inhibited by a congressional ban imposed after the Indonesian army devastated East Timor in 1999.

Blair has also asked the Congress for 5,000 more counter- terrorism experts.

In a sweeping overview of the security situation in the region, U.S. Pacific Command chief Admiral Dennis Blair promised on Wednesday an assertive strategy to combat the terrorist threat wherever it existed.

"We cannot provide adequate protection to our citizens and our forces while only playing defense," Blair told two House subcommittees, which handle Pacific, Asian and Middle Eastern Affairs.

But he pointed out that the events of Sept. 11, and the subsequent anti-terrorism operations around the world had created new manpower requirements.

"Over 5,000 additional billets are needed to address the full range of force protection, antiterrorism, and counter-terrorism missions throughout USPACOM," the admiral said.

The new counter terrorism experts would participate in increased shore and harbor security patrols, operate regional command and control facilities and take part in crisis action teams, according to Blair.

Meanwhile, Washington sent to the Philippines six more military helicopters and a team of aviation experts in a boost of the U.S. military presence in the southern part of the country.

As many as 660 elite U.S. troops were deployed last month to help the Philippine army combat Abu Sayyaf guerrillas believed linked to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network.

Blair praised the government in Manila for its security cooperation with Washington but warned that the war against Abu Sayyaf, "will not be won by military operations alone."

"Improvements in law enforcement, intelligence, economics, business, information, media, academia, community leadership and religion will have enduring and important roles in the battle," he said.