Selected Unpublished Letter to the Editor 2005
Strained Ties; A New Partnership With Indonesia; Re: "Dictators beware!"; US, Indonesia mull closer ties;
To Christian Science Monitor
To the Editor
Any steps by U.S. to further resume ties with the Indonesian military
("Indonesia, US ties strained by past, August 29) would certainly be set
back reform.
Past Congressional conditions on the restoration of military assistance have
yet to be met. The Indonesian military is unlikely to take seriously U.S.
statements urging an end to human rights abuses or the backing for militia,
if the restores aid before these conditions go unfulfilled.
One long-standing Congressional demand has been for justice for past human
rights abuses in East Timor and elsewhere in the archipelago. Recently, a UN
panel strongly criticized Indonesia's show trials of some those responsible
for crimes against humanity committed during the East Timor's independence
referendum in 1999. The Indonesian government dismissed out of hand the
panels' recommendations which would give Indonesia another chance to
credibly try senior officials. Failing that, the panel recommended that the
UN bring the case to an international court.
This lack of justice affects both countries. Ordinary East Timorese resent
the compromises their government has made to bury the past. And without real
progress, the Indonesian military will take any aid as an endorsement of
business-as-usual and the TNI's corrupt, abusive ways will continue.
Sincerely,
John M. Miller
Media and Outreach Coordinator
East Timor and Indonesia Action Network
For Publication
To the Editor
Whatever its "symbolic" value ("A New Partnership With Indonesia," May 24),
lifting restrictions on military assistance would serve only to undermine
democracy in Indonesia. The Indonesian military (TNI) is unlikely to view
re-engagement as a reward for limited reforms. but as an endorsement of
business-as-usual.
While the Indonesian military (TNI) has given up a few perks such as
automatic seats in the national legislature, the TNI is expanding its
domestic role by creating a series of territorial commands and allowing
officers to run for local office. Corruption remains rampant. Providing the
TNI with more sophisticated weapons or training will not reverse these
tendencies.
The TNI has yet to meet most of the conditions placed on cooperation by
Congress, among them justice and accountability for severe human rights
violations in East Timor, Aceh and elsewhere, and an end to military backing
of fundamentalist and other militias. Until it does, military assistance
should be with-held.
Sincerely,
John M. Miller
Coordinator
East Timor and Indonesia Action Network
Brooklyn, NY
To International Herald Tribune
To the Editor,
Jonathan Powers' "Dictators beware!" (IHT January 13, 2005) quotes East Timor's José Ramos-Horta saying "in this day and age you cannot kill hundreds of people, destroy a whole country and then just get fired."
Unfortunately, a recent initiative of Ramos-Horta's would likely mean just that - and perhaps less. In a deal with Indonesia clearly meant to forestall further UN action, East Timor's government has signed off on a joint truth and friendship commission with its former occupier. While the parameters of the new commission are not yet set, both governments have made clear that each country would follow up the commission's findings concerning their own nationals.
Jakarta's own tepid prosecution of some of those accused of massacres and other mayhem in 1999 make it clear that any Indonesians accused are unlikely to go to jail. They are more likely to be promoted.
Just one example: General Adam Damiri was acquitted on appeal in Jakarta. His indictment by joint UN-East Timor judicial process which Indonesia refuses to cooperate with remains outstanding. A regional commander in 1999, he is now a top official in Indonesia’s military and has played a major role in Indonesia's ongoing military campaign in tsunami-afflicted Aceh.
The UN has a major stake in bringing to justice those accused of crimes against humanity in East Timor. The Secretary-General should move quickly to set up the proposed Commission of Experts to examine existing justice processes and recommend next steps. An international tribunal would have the political weight behind it to compel Indonesian cooperation. Perhaps then those who organized the killings of hundreds, indeed thousands, in East Timor might lose their jobs and more substantively be brought to justice.
Sincerely,
John M. Miller
Media and Outreach Coordinator
East Timor Action Network
Brooklyn, NY USA
To USA Today
Closer ties between the
U.S. and Indonesian militaries are unlikely to improve the human rights
situation there ("US, Indonesia mull closer ties, " February 9).
Many of the Indonesian military's worst abuses took place when the U.S. was
most engaged. In 1975, Indonesia illegally invaded East Timor; nearly all
the equipment used came from the U.S.
Some progress has been made since restrictions on military cooperation were
first instituted. For example, East Timor is now independent after the UN
held a referendum in 1999. Immediately after, the Indonesian military and
its militia proxies carried out a reign of terror, destroying much of the
country, before they finally withdrew. Many of officers involved in that
destruction retain important posts.
Genuine justice for past human rights violations remains a distant hope for
the Indonesian military's many victims in East Timor and elsewhere.
Several military-backed fundamentalist and other militia recently set up
shop, with government assistance, in disaster-stricken Aceh. Like in East
Timor, they can be used whenever the military wants to try to hide its
deadly hand from the international community.
Some argue that the U.S. should build on the goodwill created by U.S. relief
efforts tsunami-stricken Aceh by re-engaging the Indonesian military. Doing
so will only breed ill-will among that military's many past and current
victims in Aceh and elsewhere.
Sincerely,
John M. Miller
East Timor Action Network/U.S.
Brooklyn, NY
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