Indonesia wants military assist gone March 31st ?

[Guest]

I heard earlier today Indonesia wants outside relief efforts to be gone by March 31st. Not clear if just means military?, and only the US????

 

Sounds pretty crazy, on the surface, at least. That place is going to need a lot more than just 2.5 months of assistance.

 

News report also said was unclear if US military were carrying weapons while there, and that because of warring factions there, relief workers have been warned about their security in the region, due to the civil unrest prevalent in the area. USS Lincoln has left area, to retreat to international waters, apparently because of Indonesia's wishes.

 

Anyone know anything more about this? US news has lately been centered around mud-slides, and other events happening here at home.

 

HT

[Guest]

the reason is because the ongoing civil war in aceh. the fighting is going on since years, and will go on after the clean up.

the presence of the US military there at the moment is actually a very good thing.

[Guest]

So why end it?

 

What is goal of Gov. of Indonesia to want this? To just continue as they were before? Indonesia can handle cleanup and reconstruction on their own? Give me a break! They cannot begin to handle this on their own.

 

HT

[check_bin_krap]

HIGH THAIED said:

So why end it?

 

What is goal of Gov. of Indonesia to want this? To just continue as they were before? Indonesia can handle cleanup and reconstruction on their own? Give me a break! They cannot begin to handle this on their own.

 

HT

Should be pretty clear. The Indonesian government are not too happy with foreign involvement and media attention in this area. Remember East Timor.

 

On the other hand, the guerillas have made a proposal for a unconditional cease fire. Its also interesting that aid organisations and UN report no problems with the guerillas, while the government says otherwise.

[Guest]

Hi,

 

Yea....pretty fucked up!

 

Business as usual. ::

 

HT

[gobbledonk]

On the other hand, the guerillas have made a proposal for a unconditional cease fire. Its also interesting that aid organisations and UN report no problems with the guerillas, while the government says otherwise.

 

Excellent point, CBK. The 'Free Aceh' movement finally has an apportunity to shine the light on their cause, and the TNI clearly dont want the foreign media talking to them. Saw a doco on a group of (Indo) journos from Jakarta about 3 months ago - they went to Aceh to investigate reports of atrocities against villagers, and it was obvious from the beginning that they werent welcome by the TNI. I dont doubt that both sides have done their share of indiscrimate killing, but the journos were clearly terrified of their *own* military by the time they packed up their gear and returned to the safety of Jakarta.

 

Note to mods - this isnt a criticism of the Indonesian people, or even its government : simply the TNI. This is a group which seems to be above politics or the rule of law.

[Flashermac]

The Indonesia govmt has already been caught out in a lie ... saying a doctor had been held shot and held prisoner for days. The MD himself says he was not shot and was held no more than an hour.

 

Seems the Indo govmt wants to re-establish its military rule in Aceh as quickly as possibly, and foreign troops hamper this. The Free Aceh forces have openly pledged not to harm relief workers.