----- Original Message ----- From: by way of wahana <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: 30 September 1999 12:36 PM Subject: Cohens meets Wiranto, warms of "severe damage" if militias notdisarmed > US warns Indonesia to disarm militias or face "severe damage" > > JAKARTA, Sept 30 (AFP) - The United States on Thursday told Indonesia's > powerful military to disarm militias responsible for violence in East Timor > and warned the country would suffer "severe damage" if it did not. > > US Defence Secretary William Cohen issued the warning in a statement after > talks with General Wiranto, Indonesia's defence minister and the chief of the > country's armed forces. > > Cohen said elements of the military had "aided and abetted" the militias in > their orgy of violence since East Timor voted for independence on August 30. > > "I told General Wiranto that the military is at a critical turning point," > Cohen said. > > "If it supports the government's policy and it contributes to a peaceful > solution in East Timor, investigates and punishes those guilty of improper > behaviour, disarms the militia in West Timor and prevents them from > destabilising East Timor, they will be acting in a manner consistent with > Indonesia's national interest and international obligations. > > "If on the other hand they permit or participate, openly or behind the > scenes, in further aiding and abetting violence in East Timor, they will do > severe damage to the country they are sworn to defend. > > "I urged General Wiranto to make the right choice." > > The unusually blunt message from Cohen reflected concern among US officials > that militias now based in West Timor could attack the Australian-led > security force in East Timor. > > On Wednesday, the US announced it was sending a helicopter carrier with 900 > combat-ready marines to the region as extra back-up for the force. > > The US has suspended military cooperation with Indonesia and is reviewing its > economic assistance and other ties over the Timor violence. > > "In our discussion I made it clear that the US will not consider restoring > normal military-to-military contacts until the TNI (Indonesian armed forces) > reforms its ways," Cohen said. > > "The military must show restraint and respect for human rights throughout > Indonesia. > > "It must be clear that the military operates under civilian control." > > Cohen's visit to Jakarta came on the eve of the convening of the People's > Consultative Assembly (MPR), Indonesia's supreme legislative body, for the > first time since elections in June. > > The US minister said the meeting of the assembly represented a key stage in > Indonesia's transition to democracy. > > "The military can play a key role by allowing a process that is legitimate > and credible or it can destroy hope for a peaceful transition by refusing to > respect human rights and the rule of law," Cohen said. > > He added that if the military can help restore order in East Timor and > promote democratic transition the US "will enthusiastically support Indonesia > through the difficult challenges of economic restructuring and > institution-building." > > After meeting Wiranto, Cohen headed for talks with President B.J. Habibie. > > He is also due to meet other cabinet officials and opposition leader Megawati > Sukarnoputri, seen by many as Washington's favoured candidate to be the next > Indonesian president. > > ______________________________________________________________________ Untuk bergabung atau keluar dari Milis, silakan LAKUKAN SENDIRI dengan mengirim e-mail kosong ke alamat; Bergabung: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Keluar: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sambut MASA DEPAN BARU Indonesia!
