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Aceh relief efforts
January 18, 2005
Admiral Thomas Fargo Commander, US Pacific Command
PO Box 64031
Camp HM Smith, HI 98681-4031
Sent via fax: 808-477-6247
Dear Admiral Fargo,
In light of the prominent role of the U.S. military in tsunami
relief efforts in Aceh, I would like to take this opportunity to
reiterate my serious concerns about the U.S.-Indonesia military
relationship. As you know, many of my colleagues and I firmly
believe that now is not the time to advance efforts toward
normalizing military relations. I am greatly concerned with reports
that some in the Pentagon are using this disaster as an opportunity
to lobby for IMET. The human rights record of the TNI has not
improved and promised reforms have not been enacted.
The TNI's refusal to implement a ceasefire in Aceh is utterly
unfathomable given the scale of the catastrophe. Human rights abuses
concurrently continue in West Papua, where the TNI has sealed off
access to sections of the Central Highlands and is mounting a
violent offensive that has caused internal displacement of thousands
of civilians.
Troubling reports have described military abuse of humanitarian
aid in Aceh, including obstruction of relief efforts by Indonesian
organizations, denial of assistance to the Acehnese based on real or
perceived political orientation, and the sale of food and other aid.
Indonesian authorities are increasingly restricting the movement of
international aid workers and interfering with their relief efforts.
Particularly disturbing is the Indonesian military's sponsorship
in Aceh of jihadist militia, such as the Islamic Defenders Front and
Laskar Mujahidin. This bears the hallmark of the classic Indonesian
military strategy, used to deadly effect in East Timor in 1999, of
sponsoring indigenous militias to promote civil conflict. These
actions directly contradict U.S. counter-terrorism policy.
I seek your assurance that U.S. military forces in Indonesia are
operating according to the letter and spirit of military
restrictions legislated in the Foreign Operations Appropriations
Act, and that all U.S. military assistance is directed exclusively
toward humanitarian relief. The Defense Department must be entirely
transparent in all current and future efforts to seek and spend
funds for this relief effort, with no attempt to expand assistance
outside the narrowest definition of humanitarian aid. Military
training should not be provided. You should also be aware that any
equipment or training provided to the TNI, including C-130s, will
likely be turned against Acehnese civilians within a matter of
months, if not sooner, especially as international attention fades.
I ask that you communicate to Indonesian authorities at the
highest level and in no uncertain terms that the TNI must not engage
in offensive military actions and must fully respect international
human rights and humanitarian law. You and other members of the U.S.
military should clearly convey these and the other aforementioned
concerns about abuse of humanitarian assistance to the Indonesian
authorities.
Sincerely,
LANE EVANS
Member of Congress
Rep. Lane Evans (D-IL) is a senior member of the House Armed
Services Committee.
ETAN:
Tsunami Must Not Sweep Away
Restrictions on Indonesian Military
see also:
U.S.-Indonesia Military Assistance page
Rep. Patrick J.
Kennedy- Dear Colleague Letter on Aceh
Indonesia Alert:
Aceh's Dual Disasters: The Tsunami and
Military Rule by John Roosa
Baltimore Sun:
Aceh - From crisis, opportunity by Joe Nevins
Aceh Working Group Concern over TNI Monopoly on
Aid
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