CAMP KARANG TEKOK, Indonesia - A U.S. soldier is relieved by an Indonesian Marine during counterinsurgency training in March 2008. The bilateral field training exercise between Marines and Sailors from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Indonesian Marines was designed to increase interoperability and enhance military to military relationships. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Marc Ayalin)
		U.S.-Indonesia Military Assistance The Commission recommends that: 1.10. States regulate military sales and cooperation with Indonesia more effectively and make such support totally conditional on progress towards full democratisation, the subordination of the military to the rule of law and civilian government, and strict adherence with international human rights, including respect for the right of self-determination. --Part 11: Recommendations, Final Report of the Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor (CAVR)

2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002
2001 2000 1999 1998 and before

2008

Background on Kopassus and Brimob (April)

Senators Write U.S. State Dept. on Training Kopassus and Brimob (April 3)

Groups write to Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates on Indonesia (March 17)

Indonesia’s Arms Appetite by Frida Berrigan (Feb. 27)

2007

Bush Administration Trains Members of Indonesian Terrorist Groups; Abandons Human Rights for Indonesia to Train Kopassus, Brimob (December 19)

ETAN Statement on military assistance to Indonesia in the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations bill (HR 2764)  (December 18)

U.S. House of Representatives Calls for Human Rights Accountability  and Military Reform in Indonesia (June 22)

A Message from Ed McWilliams (Retired) Senior Foreign Service Officer "I can attest to ETAN's effectiveness. I watched  its impact from inside the U.S. government when I headed the political section of the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta from 1996 to 1999....  I retired after almost 27 years in the State Department in 2001. Since then, I have roamed the halls of Congress and protested on the streets with ETAN." Read his letter and please support ETAN's political work Make a monthly pledge via credit card  click here

ETAN: Indicted Indonesian General Leads Joint Military Exercise with U.S. (April 26)

Joyo News/Pantau Exclusive Report: Murder at Mile 63; Media Release (April 9)

ETAN: Statement to House of Representatives, Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs on the fiscal year 2008 budget  (March 29)

Estafeta: U.S. Re-engages the Indonesian Military: Rights, Democracy Suffer (February)

2006

Bush's Big Indonesian Photo-Op by Ben Terrall and John M. Miller (November 27)
Groups Urge Bush Not to Offer Military Assistance to Indonesian President on Visit (November 18)

Control Arms: Arms Without Borders: why a globalised trade needs global controls (October)

Center for Public Integrity: Jakarta's Intelligence Service Hires Washington Lobbyists. Former Indonesian president's foundation served as conduit for push to overturn ban on military cooperation (September)

Response to Department of State’s Papua and Aceh Report of April 2006 (Summer)

Secretary of Defense Must Not Undermine Reform, Rights on Visit to Jakarta (June 6)

ETAN Calls for Restrictions on Military Assistance to Indonesia to Promote Reform and Accountability; House Committee Would Turn a Blind Eye to Rights Violations, Impunity (May 25)

Too High a Price: The Human Rights Cost of the Indonesian Military’s Economic Activities (June 21)

Groups Urge Congress to Restrict Assistance to Indonesian Military in Legislative Mark-up (May 18)
Center for Defense Information: Putting the Cart Before the Horse: United States resumes military assistance to Indonesia (May 18)
Key Senators Criticize Waiver Allowing U.S. Weapons Exports to Indonesia; Cite Administration's Lack of Strategy to Encourage Accountability and Reform (May 3)

U.S. Should Not Cozy Up to Kopassus; Notorious Military Unit Commander Participates in Hawaii Pentagon Conference (April 6)
 

ETAN Denounces Plans to Sell Lethal Equipment to Indonesian Military; Expresses Alarm at Expanding Engagement (March 29)
ETAN: As Secretary of State Visits Jakarta, Rights Group Urges U.S. Policy on Indonesia Promoting Justice and Rights, Not Military Might (March 13)
ETAN, Other Groups Write State Department on Indonesia Military Aid (March 8)

2005
On 30th Anniversary of Indonesian Invasion of East Timor, ETAN Calls for Justice, Understanding of U.S. Role (December 7)
CAAT/TAPOL: Arms to Indonesia UK Factsheet (December 2005)

ETAN Condemns Administration Waiver Permitting Weapons Sales to Indonesia (November 22)
TAPOL: Renewal of US military ties a blow for Indonesian democracy
APSOC condemns resumption of US IMET program for Indonesia

Indonesia Should Take U.S. Congressional Restrictions on Military Aid Seriously (November 17)
Senator Leahy on Military Aid to Indonesia and East Timor (November 10)
Human Rights First: U.S. Congress Calls for Justice for Slain Indonesian Human Rights Hero; Human rights group says investigation and prosecution falls short (November 9)
U.S. Congress Upholds Pressure for Human Rights for Indonesia, Timor; Law Will Restrict Military Assistance for Indonesia (November 3)
Ed McWilliams: Response to Efforts to Deny Crimes Against Humanity in West Papua (November)40 Years of Living Dangerously by by Joseph Nevins (October 18)

U.S. Groups Call on Congress to Maintain Restrictions on Military Aid to Indonesia; Urge Conference Committee to Adopt Senate Provisions of Foreign Aid Bill (September 22); U.S. Catholic Bishops on Military Aid to Indonesia (September 20); HRW: Indonesia: Keep Pressure on Abusive Army; U.S. Should Maintain Conditions on Assistance to Indonesian Military (October 11)

Members of Congress Urge President Bush Not to Normalize Military Ties with Indonesia; Rewarding “Half-Steps” to Reform Undeserved (August 18)
Allan Nairn: Clarity Achieved, Oppressors Still in Place: A Deal Disarms One Side in Aceh (August)

ETAN Praises U.S. Senate for Upholding Commitment to Human Rights for Indonesia, Timor; Bill Would Maintain Restrictions on Indonesian Military Assistance (July 20)
GAO:Southeast Asia: Better Human Rights Reviews and Strategic Planning Needed for U.S. Assistance to Foreign Security Forces (July)
E Timor National Alliance for an International Tribunal: Happy Independence Day to USA (July 4)

ETAN Accuses House of Representatives of Selling Out Rights, Reform; Bill Would Lift Restrictions on Military Assistance to Indonesia (June 29)
The Question of U.S. Military Assistance for Indonesia (June)

More Than 50 Groups Urge Bush Not to Offer Military Assistance to Indonesian President (May 24)
U.S. Weapons at War 2005: Promoting Freedom or Fueling Conflict?, a World Policy Institute Special Report, by Frida Berrigan and William D. Hartung, June 2005.

ILRF: ExxonMobil Investors Tell Management to Review Relationship with Indonesia’s Criminal Military (May 25) Also: Statement by Munawar Zainal, Secretary General, Acheh Center-USA; Statement on Behalf of Antioch New England Graduate School Faculty Senate

Estafeta: IMET Certified; Congress Speaks Out on TNI, Aceh, Papua, Timor Sea (Spring 2005)
NVA: The Tsunami and the Deadly Fallout from Humanitarian Help (April 2004)

Rep. Chris Smith on E. Timor and Indonesia at House Human Rights Hearing (March 17)
Indonesia Alert! Beware a Wolfowitz in Sheep's Clothing - Washington Backs Indonesian Military Again (03/10) More  Background on Paul Wolfowitz, Indonesia and East Timor

Testimony by Ed McWilliams on Recent Indonesia Reform (03/10)
Rep. Kucinich on IMET (03/09)
March updates
Sen. Leahy on Resumption of Full IMET for Indonesia (02/28)

ETAN Condemns Restoration of IMET for Indonesia; Calls State Department's Certification Fraudulent and a Setback for Justice, Human Rights and Reform (02/27)

Open Letter from Forum of the Aceh People to Secretary of State Rice (02/11)
Groups Condemn Planned Restoration of IMET for Indonesia; Normalizing Military Relations Will Undercut Limited Progress on Murder Case and Other Human Rights Efforts (02/07)
New Facts Link Indonesian Military to "Terror Attack" on U.S. Citizens; Rice May Release IMET to Indonesia Before Investigation Concludes (02/17)
USGOV- Current DOD programs for Indonesia (02/01)
Senators Leahy and Bond debate  Mil. Restrictions (02/01)
February updates

ACTION ALERT: Bush Must Not Use Tsunami to Strengthen Indonesian Military;
Congress Must Keep Restrictions on U.S.-Indonesia Military
Download and distribute PDF Alert

Letters on military assistance (01/29)
Papua Ambush Victim's Wife Urges Rice to Keep Ban on Indon Military (01/27)
Shirley Shackleton: Aid to the military could annihilate the Acehnese (01/26)
Wolfowitz Visited Indonesia For Closer Military Ties, Not Tsunami Relief by Joe Nevins (01/19)
IPS: Bush Uses Tsunami Aid to Regain Foothold in Indonesia (01/18)
Congress: Rep. Evans writes Adm. Fargo on military ties (01/18)
ETAN: Tsunami Must Not Sweep Away Restrictions on Indonesian Military (01/13)
Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy- Dear Colleague Letter on Aceh (01/13)
Baltimore Sun: Aceh - From crisis, opportunity by Joe Nevins (01/12)

2004
ETAN: U.S. Congress Maintains Restrictions on Military Assistance for Indonesia (11/21)
ETAN: East Timor NGOs Urge U.S. Congress to End Assistance to Indonesian Military & to Work for Justice & International Tribunal (11/11)

Members of Congress Oppose U.S. Assistance to Unreformed, "Corrupt" Indonesian Military; Senator Feingold on justice for East Timor (10/12)

ETAN: Senate Continues Restrictions on Military and IMET Assistance for Indonesia (9/24)
ETAN: “Military Has Already Won” Indonesian Election, Says ETAN, Neither Candidate Likely to Limit Military (9/18)
NYT: Indonesian Case: Injustice, and Irony (3 Letters, 9/8); CSM Letters: US support increases impunity of Indonesia's military (9/3)
ETAN: U.S. Groups Oppose U.S. Military Assistance to Indonesia, Tell Secretary of State that Military Remains “Unreformed” Rights Violator (9/15)
Indonesia: U.S. Underwriting Terrorism? By Conn Hallinan (9/4)

ETAN: Congress Disappointed with Secretary Rumsfeld’s Plans for U.S.-Indonesia Military Ties (8/5)
West Papua Rights Organizations Condemn Statement by U.S. Attorney General on Killing of Americans at Freeport Mine; Urge U.S. Congress To Push for a Full & Impartial Investigation (8/4)
RFK Memorial Center for Human Rights Questions Dept. of Justice Announcement on West Papua Ambush (6/26)
ETAN: House Subcommittee Continues Ban on Military Assistance for Indonesia; Calls for IMET, Military Sales to Remain Restricted (6/24)

ETAN Urges International Support for Justice and Control of Resources on Newest Nation’s Birthday (5/20)
ETAN: Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen Misleads 9-11 Commission; U.S. Assistance to the Indonesian Military Aided Terrorism (3/25)
ETAN: Congress Reinstates Ban on Military Training for Indonesia, Defies Administration (01/22)
ETAN: Indonesia Flexes Military Muscle in Border Dispute with East Timor; Where Is International Reaction? (01/21)

2003
Colorado Representatives Write Senate to Urge IMET Ban (10/27)
ETAN: Bush Must Set Record Straight: No Military Assistance for Indonesia (10/21)
Rep. Evans: Dear Colleague on Bush and Indonesian Military (10/17)

ETAN/IHRN: U.S. House of Representatives Reiterates "No IMET for Indonesia" (07/24)
ETAN/IHRN: Bush Administration Plans to Resume Training Indonesian Military for this Year (07/18)
ETAN/IHRN: House of Representatives Reinstates Restrictions on Military Training for Indonesia (07/15); Rep. Hefley Strips Indonesia of Military Training Funds Until U.S., Coloradan Receive Answers to Terrorist Attack
ETAN/IHRN: Condemn Bush Administration Move to Restore Military Training for Indonesia, Urge Congress to Strongly Protest; American Survivor of Ambush and Former Foreign Service Officer Call for Continued Ban (07/14)
IHRN/ETAN: Congress Expresses Deep Concern about Military Offensive and Human Rights Violations in Aceh Representatives Criticize Indonesia’s Use of U.S. Military Equipment (06/27)

90 groups worldwide demand military embargo on Indonesia  statement (both are in Bahasa and English) (06/23)
U.S. Weapons Aid Repression in Aceh (06/11)
IHRN/ETAN: Rights Groups Praise Senators for Restricting Military Training for Indonesia (05/22)

IHRN: U.S.-made weapons to be used in Indonesian military war on Aceh (5/13)
IHRN/ETAN: House International Relations Committee Expresses Strong Support for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution in Indonesia and East Timor; Criticizes Indonesian Justice Efforts; Calls for Alternatives (05/08)
ETAN/IHRN: Senate Votes Down Restrictions on Military Training for Indonesia (01/23)
Congressional Record: US Senate IMET amendment debate (01/23)
Indonesian activists caution U.S. over military training (01/25)
U.S. Senate IMET amendment debate (01/28) 
Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy On Restoring International Military Education And Training Assistance To The Indonesian Military (01/22)*

2002

Estafeta: Congress Moves to Renew Military Ties with Indonesian Military (Winter 2002-2003)
The Question of U.S. Military Assistance for Indonesia (December 2002)
Indonesian Rights Activists Urge U.S. Congress To Block Military Training (10/07)
Members of House Oppose Renewal of IMET and FMF for Indonesia (9/3)

Indonesian officers to join 15-month military course in America (8/2)
Indonesian Activists Implore U.S. Not to Forsake Human Rights. Additional Stories: Powell in Indonesia (August)
Supplemental Appropriations Bill Funds Police Training for Indonesia, Rejects Military Training (August)

Statement by the ETAN on Restoration of IMET Military Training by Senate Appropriations Committee (7/19)
Senator Leahy's opening statement to Appropriations Committee, July 18, 2002 (7/18)
NGOs Write House and Senate Appropriations Committees on U.S.-Indonesia Military Assistance (7/16)
Leahy Conditions on Restrictions of Military Assistance for Indonesia Have Not Been Met (7/15)
Should The U.S. Resume Military Ties With Indonesia? Reflections From A Papuan Perspective*, by John Rumbiak Supervisor ELSHAM - Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy in Papua
Editorials - Houston Chronicle: No reason for U.S. to coddle Indonesia's army; NYT: Indonesia's Unreformed Military (July)

Members of Congress Oppose Bush Administration Moves to Increase Engagement with Indonesian Military (6/26)
U.S. House of Representatives Congratulates East Timor: Endorses Continued Restrictions on U.S.-Indonesia Military Ties, Expresses Concern about Lack of Justice (5/21)
Senators Write to Rumsfeld, Powell on U.S.- Indonesian Military Ties (5/14)
40 NGOs Write to Secretary of State. Powell and Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld on Military Ties to Indonesia (5/7)
Rewarding Indonesia while Ignoring Congress: Despite Indonesia's questionable human rights record, the Pentagon wants to renew military cooperation (Frida Berrigan, World Policy Institute, 5/6) 
Here We Go Again; U.S. considers renewing military ties to Indonesia (May)
U.S. Defence Chief Calls For Renewed Indonesia Ties (5/3)
Senator Leahy & Secretary of State Powell on Indonesia-E Timor (4/30)
US Military Ties With Indonesia Depends On Timor Trials (and more) (4/25)
Congressional Q&A on E Timor & military assistance to Indonesia with Armitage (4/18)
Inouye and Indonesia (1/16)

ETAN helps form Kissinger Watch (ongoing from March)

2001
ETAN/IHRN: Congress Bolsters Ban on Training for Indonesia With One Bill, While Opening a Loophole with Another (12/21)
ETAN/IHRN: Rights Groups Condemn End Run on Military Training Restrictions for Indonesia (12/20)
Ford & Kissinger Green Light to Indonesia's 1975 Invasion; New Documents Reveal Conversations with Suharto (National Security Archive (see also ETAN Kissinger pages) (12/06)
Indonesia at the Crossroads: U.S. Weapons and Military Training (10/15/01; World Policy Institute report)
ETAN/IHRN Oppose Blanket Waiver for Human Rights (09/27)
On Eve of Megawati Visit, Groups Urge Bush to Maintain Restrictions on Military Ties with Indonesia (9/18)
Statements from September 6 Press Conference (09/06) Op-eds by ETAN members: U.S. must not forget E Timor massacres; Tragic Anniversary For East Timor; Indonesia has yet to hold anyone accountable
Grassroots & Congressional Action Mark September 6 Anniversary of East Timor Massacres (09/04)
Rights Groups Say Military Relations With Indonesia Hurt, Not Help (08/09)
U.S. House of Representatives Reaffirms Support for Indonesian Military Reform and for East Timor (07/24)
East Timor Action Network Urges New Indonesian President to Show Support for East Timor (07/23)
Small Arms and East Timor: Speech at UN Rally and Impact on Women in Militia-Controlled Camps (07/17)
IHRN/ETAN: Rights Groups Oppose Joint Training with Indonesian Military (05/16)
NGO Letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell Opposing Resumption of Military Ties (3/7)
ETAN's John M. Miller on the violence in Indonesia, U.S. military assistance, and justice issues in Coming Apart: Kosovo And Indonesia, Newsweek on Air, (3/4)
ETAN/IHRN - Continue Suspension of Military Ties With Indonesia  (1/26)

2000
Foreign Policy in Focus: East Timor by Lynn Fredriksson (12/2000)
U.S. Congress Reaffirms Support for East Timor in Foreign Operations Appropriations (10/26)

Standing Up to State and Congress (Adm. Blair) By Dana Priest, Washington Post (9/30)
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passes Ban on U.S. Military Ties to Indonesia (9/27)
U.S. Reinstates Suspension Of Military Assistance To Indonesia before Sec'y of Defense Cohen Visit to Indonesia (9/15)
One Year Later, East Timor Still Needs Justice and Security (8/29) 
Stop CARAT exercise (7/17)
A Lesson From Timor: Don't Coddle the Indonesian Military, Op-ed in International Herald Tribune by ETAN's Karen Orenstein. (7/5)
Madness For the US to Restore Relations with TNI, Asia Times (6/28)
Indonesian NGOs Oppose Resumption of Military Ties with U.S. (6/12)
ETAN Opposes Any Resumption of Military Ties with Indonesia (5/24)
Allan Nairn testimony on U.S.-Indonesia Military Ties (5/11)
Background on East Timor and U.S. Policy, East Timor Action Network (May)

ETAN, NGOs write Albright on military ties to Indonesia (3/3)

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1999
Vermont's Norwich University to End Training of Indonesian Military  (12/20)
Senate Passes Appropriations Bill Restricting U.S. Military Assistance to Indonesia Conditions include bringing human rights violators to justice, return of  displaced persons to East Timor. (11/19)
ETAN urges Indonesia's president to fulfill commitments to East Timor by stopping militia violence, assisting return of refugees and cooperating with rights investigations. Also -  Clinton must keep military assistance suspension, release rights data. (11/12)
Indonesia's Repeal of Annexation of East Timor Only First Step - Safe return of refugees, end to militia activity and prosecution of rights violators are priorities (10/20)

Senate Foreign Relations Committee passes freeze on military relations with Indonesia (S 1568). A similar bill, HR 2895, has been introduced in the House. Other East Timor Legislation News and lists of bills' sponsors (9/27)
Allan Nairn on US Complicity in Timor in the Nation (9/27)
ETAN Statement on Suspension of U.S. Aid to Indonesia and Indonesian Agreement to Allow International Force into East Timor (9/12)
Bishop Belo's residence attacked, thousands kidnapped by militias; ETAN calls for immediate suspension of all aid to Indonesia and support for UN-controlled securityAugust 3 - ETAN today praised continuing Congressional pressure in support of a free and fair vote in East Timor following passage of the Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill (HR 2606). (9/4)

Evans on International Military Training Transparency & Accountability Act (3/10)

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1998 
ETAN cites105th Congress support for freedom for East Timor.  The massive Omnibus Appropriations bill passed by Congress contains provisions relating to Indonesia and East Timor. (10/21)
October 1998 version of Background on East Timor and U.S. Policy
Congress ban comes in response to training and rights abuses involving Indonesia (9/29)
House of Representatives Continues Military Training Ban for Indonesia; Ban on U.S. Weapons in East Timor Reaffirmed (9/3)
Senate passes legislation requiring that any agreement to sell weapons to Indonesia "shall state that such items will not be used in East Timor." (9/3)

Estafeta: Congress Bars Use of US Weapons in Timor (Spring)
Estafet: Pentagon Documents Show Indonesian Military Training Continues Despite Congressional Ban (Spring)

Senator Leahy on U.S. Special Forces Training (6/4)

Statements by Rep. Cynthia McKinney, Rep. Chris Smith, Lynn Fredrikkson and Constancio Pinto on the just introduced Indonesia Human Rights Before Military Assistance Act (HR 3918 IH). (5/20)
ETAN: After Six Killed in Jakarta ETAN Calls for an End to Sales of Weapons, Spare Parts, and Ammunition to Indonesia and a Ban on All Military Training (5/12)
Indonesia's Disappeared Article from The Nation magazine by Allan Nairn. (6/8)
Suharto Resigns Statements by ETAN/US and Constancio Pinto (5/ 20)
U.S. intelligence officials based in Indonesia knew about the abductions of political activists as they occurred reports Allan Nairn in an article to be published in the forthcoming The Nation magazine. (May)
Press Release: After Six Killed in Jakarta ETAN Calls for an End to Sales of Weapons, Spare Parts, and Ammunition to Indonesia and a Ban on All Military Training (5/12)
Statement by Allan Nairn on the suspension of US military training aid to Indonesia. (5/09)
Indonesia's Killers Editorial from The Nation magazine by Allan Nairn. (3/30)
U.S. Training of Indonesia Troops Goes on Despite Ban, New York Times (3/17)

Before 1998
Estafeta: No F16's for Indonesia (Spring 1997)
International Declaration calling for an end to military support for Indonesia (1997)
U.S. Senate debate on bill which would require future US government arms sales to Indonesia not to be used in East Timor  (June 29, 1994)

Indonesia steps up U.S. Outreach Campaign (5/94)

U.S. Policy Toward East Timor through 11/97 (detailed)

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Additional links on U.S. Indonesia Military Assistance related sites

see also Congressional Action on East Timor for additional statements, hearings and letters on this issue and news items in Timor Postings section and Foreign Military Cooperation and Weapon Sales ( on  Aceh-Eye)

WWW http://www.etan.org