U.S. remains aloof over RI demand for Hambali custody
U.S. remains aloof over RI demand for Hambali custody
Fitri Wulandari and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post,
Jakarta
The United States government has refused to discuss the
possibility of transferring terrorist suspect Hambali to
Indonesia at present, citing international complications over the
issue.
The U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Ralph L. Boyce said on Friday
Washington understands the interest of Indonesia in obtaining
Hambali, but many other countries in the region have made similar
requests.
"I have already said it is not a good time to speculate on
what is eventually going to happen. I think there is a long way
to go, but the point is we are working together and understand
each other," Boyce said, after signing a Memorandum of
Understanding on transportation security.
The envoy said that Indonesia understands the situation,
likewise the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Australia.
"All are working together. So I ask you, please, not to create
an issue where there isn't one," he added.
The Indonesian-born terrorist suspect is wanted in many
countries for his alleged involvement in a series of terrorist
attacks in the region over the past few years.
Hambali, born as Encep Nurjaman in Sukamanah village, Cianjur,
West Java, 39 years ago, was arrested in Thailand on Aug. 11 and
is currently under U.S. custody at a secret location.
He was carrying a Spanish passport under the name of Daniel
when he was arrested, making it difficult to determine whether or
not he still holds his Indonesian citizenship.
The Indonesian police have implicated Hambali in 39 bombings
in eight cities across the country between August 2000 and the
Oct. 12, 2002 Bali blasts. He is also linked to the JW Marriott
Hotel bombing early this month.
President Megawati Soekarnoputri had personally called the
U.S. President, George W. Bush, regarding the possibility for
Indonesia to interrogate Hambali and bring him back to Jakarta
for trial.
Earlier, the Indonesian police supplied U.S. investigators
with documents and other legal evidence related to Hambali's
activities.
Boyce said Indonesia's access to Hambali was a very sensitive
issue and not all the details would be made available to the
public.
In Australia, visiting Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs
Hassan Wirayuda said Washington had promised to give Indonesia
access to Hambali.
"It is understood that during a telephone conversation between
President Megawati and President Bush last week, it was indicated
that the United States will facilitate our interest (in
Hambali)," Hassan told reporters as quoted by Reuters.
"He (Hambali) is thought to be the mastermind behind the Bali
bombing and other attacks and he is also the missing link in our
investigations and prosecution of Abu Bakar Ba'asyir," he said.
Indonesian prosecutors have charged Ba'asyir with treason for
trying to overthrow the Indonesian government, as the alleged
leader of Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), the Southeast Asian network
accused of carrying out the Bali blasts.
Indonesian National Police Chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar has denied
recent reports that JI operates a 300-member attack force in the
country.
"There is no such thing as strike forces or fighters, they are
just small groups that work separately in carrying out terror
attacks," Da'i said on Friday.
National Police Detective chief Comr. Gen. Erwin Mappaseng
said that JI has an attack force and most of the fighters were
trained in Afghanistan and Moro island, the Philippines.