Also: AFP- Washington reminds Indonesia that military aid depends on Timor trials

U.S. EMBASSY PRESS RELEASE

PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION

REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL OF U.S. MILITARY SALES AND TRAINING ASSISTANCE TO INDONESIA

April 11, 2001

The United States suspended transfers of defense articles and services to Indonesia in 1999. The ban was part of several restrictions that the U.S. Government placed on bilateral security relations in September 1999, in the wake of militia violence in East Timor that some elements of the Indonesian military (TNI) supported. In September 2000, the U.S. lifted the restrictions on the commercial transfer of C-130 Hercules parts. The C-130 is a transport aircraft that is invaluable to address humanitarian emergencies in an island nation such as Indonesia.

In 1999, the U.S. Congress also enacted legislation that specifically restricts military sales and training programs and outlines what the Indonesian Government must do to begin the process of restoring these suspended programs. These restrictions, called the Leahy Amendment, require that the Indonesian Government demonstrate a commitment to accountability by cooperating with investigations and prosecutions of members of the Indonesian armed forces and militias responsible for human rights violations in Indonesia and East Timor; cooperate with UNTAET, and facilitate the return of refugees to East Timor. If the Indonesian Government does not fulfill these requirements, the U.S. Government is prohibited by law from making available military equipment or training to Indonesia.

The U.S. looks forward to the positive, tangible response from the Indonesian Government that will enable both countries to begin exploring the reestablishment of the military ties that are important to both countries. 

Agence France Presse Washington reminds Indonesia that military aid depends on Timor trials

JAKARTA, April 11

Washington on Wednesday reminded Indonesia that a resumption of US military aid to Jakarta was dependent on the prosecution of members of its armed forces and militia responsible for the 1999 Timor violence.

"If the Indonesian government does not fulfill these requirements, the US government is prohibited by law from making available military equipment or training to Indonesia," a US embassy press release issued here said.

The embassy release said that the legislation passed by Congress in 1999 in reaction to the Timor violence, called the Leahy amendment, required Indonesia to "demonstrate a commitment to accountability by cooperating with investigations and prosecutions" of Timor atrocities.

The amendment also required Indonesia to "cooperate with the UN Transitional Administration (UNTAET) in East Timor, and facilitate the return of refugees to East Timor, " it said.

"The US looks forward to the positive tangible response from the Indonesian government that will enable both countries to begin exploring the reestablishment of the military ties that are impoirtant to both countries," it added.

Indonesian military-backed militia launched a wave of terror after East Timorese voted in 1999 for independence from Jakarta, leaving at least 600 dead, razing whole cities and driving more than a quarter of a million people out of the territory.

Between 50,000 and 100,000 refugees are still housed in squalid camps in Indonesian-ruled West Timor.

Jakarta has named 22 military men, government officials and milita as suspects in the 1999 violence, but has yet to bring them to trial, raising concerns about its sincerity.

The UN Human Rights Commission has warned that if the trials do not go ahead in Indonesia, it will convene an international crimes tribunal.

The embassy release said that the only part of the embargo that had been lifted, in September 2000, was that covering spare parts for C-130 Hercules, which were "invaluable to address humanitarian emrgencies."

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