U.S. ties depend on rights action

U.S. ties depend on rights action

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia should show its seriousness in dealing
with past human rights abuses which allegedly involved its
military personnel before the United States can resume full
military ties, a U.S. official said on Friday.

"The U.S. very much wants to have a good relationship with
Indonesia's military but our Congress has put some limitations on
us that would have to do for the accountability for some things
that have happened in the past," visiting Assistant Secretary of
State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs James Kelly said on
Friday.

The U.S. imposed a military embargo on Indonesia following the
mayhem that erupted in the former province of East Timor in 1999.
It has gradually resumed relations but so far the U.S. has only
assisted with non-combat military equipment.

Kelly underlined that the penalties imposed on suspects linked
to the murder of three humanitarian aid workers from the United
Nations in September last year, were not proportionate with the
crime committed.

In a press statement previously issued by the U.S. Embassy,
Kelly said that the TNI is being made responsible for some of the
past problems as well as the future solution, which "poses a real
dilemma".

"Without a doubt, we are not going to be able to, and have no
plans to open the gates for across-the-board support of the
Indonesian military. That is a problem," Kelly said.

Kelly said that the purpose of his visit was to convey
messages from president George W. Bush and vice president Dick
Cheney regarding the smooth transition of Indonesia's national
leadership.

He is the second senior U.S. official to visit Indonesia after
Trade Representative Robert Zoellick met President Megawati
Soekarnoputri to convey Washington's strong support for her.

Megawati is scheduled to visit the U.S. on Sept. 19. to meet
President Bush and address the United Nations General Assembly.
(dja)