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.