Asia-Pacific News

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.'

© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur


COMMENT

blog comments powered by Disqus

Latest Headlines in Asia-Pacific

Older Talkback

Follow Us

Follow M&C on Pinterest

Search

Custom Search

Also Check Out

Charlize Theron wants to go into space

Charlize Theron wants to go into space
Charlize Theron has admitted she would love to go into space - but thinks it would be very expensive ... more

Cheryl Cole: Personal life is 'right'

Cheryl Cole: Personal life is right
Chderyl Cole wants to have lots of children but thinks she is right to wait to start a family. ... more

Peter Andre ready to move on

Peter Andre ready to move on
Peter Andre is finally ready to move on from ex-wife Katie Price and wonders if he has already met the person he is 'supposed' to marry. ... more

Prince William's tribute to role model Queen

Prince Williams tribute to role model Queen
Britain's Prince William has paid tribute to his grandmother Queen Elizabeth for being an 'incredible role model'. ... more

Mariah Carey's sister wants reconciliation

Mariah Careys sister wants reconciliation
Mariah Carey's estranged sister Alison is desperate to mend her rift with the singer and meet the star's twins Moroccan and Monroe for the first time. ... more

Robin Gibb had kidney failure

Robin Gibb had kidney failure
Robin Gibb's son RJ says the Bee Gees singer's death was caused by kidney and liver failure, ... more

Matthew Morrison's sexy meals

Matthew Morrisons sexy meals
Matthew Morrison thinks cooking is 'sexy' and loves sharing candlelit dinners with his girlfriend Renee Puente. ... more

Apl.de.Ap praises 'beautiful' Cheryl

Apl.de.Ap praises beautiful Cheryl
Black Eyed Peas star Apl.de.Ap thinks Cheryl Cole is a 'beautiful' woman. ... more

Queen Elizabeth loves to laugh with her grandkids

Queen Elizabeth loves to laugh with her grandkids
Britain's Queen Elizabeth loves to share a laugh with her grandchildren and find out about their lives outside of their royal duties. ... more

David Hasselhoff to buy bar for Hayley

David Hasselhoff to buy bar for Hayley
David Hasselhoff wants to buy his Welsh girlfriend Hayley Roberts a bar which he will call the Hoff & Hounds. ... more