U.S. Senate bars RI aid over Papua murders
U.S. Senate bars RI aid over Papua murders
Reuters, Washington
The U.S. Senate has moved to block some military aid to Indonesia to show displeasure over Jakarta's response to the killing of two American teachers in its rebellious Papua province last year.
The Senate quietly agreed late on Tuesday to cut off US$400,000 in military training assistance that would have gone to Indonesia next year in an $18.4 billion foreign aid bill. The House of Representatives passed a similar ban in July.
While the amount at stake is not large, supporters of the move said it would send a message that the United States wanted a proper probe of the killing of the two teachers -- part of a group ambushed last August near an American-run mine.
Police have made no arrests nor named any suspects in a case that is becoming a major thorn in ties between Washington and the world's most populous Muslim nation, especially over accusations Indonesian soldiers might have been involved.
"In no way should the U.S. government provide military assistance to Indonesia until this matter is resolved," said Colorado Republican Senator Wayne Allard. "We cannot allow the murder of our citizens to be ignored and the Indonesian government should not let those responsible go unpunished."
Indonesia has bristled at the congressional accusations, warning the aid decision will affect diplomatic ties. Jakarta is an important partner in the U.S. war on terrorism.
Under the Senate provision, the aid ban could be waived by President George W. Bush on national security grounds.
The Indonesian military, which provides the main security for the giant copper and gold mine operated by U.S.-based Freeport- McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc., has blamed Papuan rebels and repeatedly denied any role in the ambush.
The Senate earlier this week also placed restrictions on $1.2 million in military training aid to Malaysia to show concern over recent statements by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad that have been widely condemned as anti-Semitic.
Mahathir, who steps down as Malaysia's prime minister at the end of the month after 22 years in power, provoked a storm of international criticism after telling a Muslim conference earlier this month that Jews control the world by proxy.