New Zealand renews military ties with Indonesia

Mar 4, 2007, 21:43 GMT

Wellington - New Zealand Defence Minister Phil Goff has confirmed that the government is renewing military ties with Indonesia, suspended nearly eight years ago over violence in East Timor, it was reported Monday.

Goff said that reforms made by the Indonesian Army, which was blamed along with pro-Jakarta militias for sparking the violence, justified following Australia and Britain in re-establishing ties, Radio New Zealand reported.

Cooperation will be formally resumed when an Indonesian military officer attends the New Zealand Defence Force College later this year, and New Zealand officers are expected to visit Indonesia.

The decision has been condemned by New Zealand's Indonesian Human Rights Committee.

'We are appalled that this significant policy shift was not subject to any debate with either the New Zealand public or parliament,' said Maire Leadbeater, spokeswoman for the group.

'Why is the New Zealand government overlooking the Indonesian military's ongoing responsibility for human-rights violations, especially in conflict areas such as West Papua and Poso? In West Papua, a programme of military expansion is underway, and military intimidation has displaced thousands of people in the Puncak Jaya region.'

Leadbeater said that East Timor's Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation recommended that no state should resume military cooperation with Indonesia until there had been genuine progress toward full democratization, 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.

She said the New Zealand government should heed that recommendation 'instead of restoring defence ties to a military force emboldened by decades of impunity.'