Indonesia fears new US Congress could exert pressure for human rights
Analysts believe the Democrat victory could lead to US sanctions and have other repercussions on bilateral ties. They say the case of Munir's murder should be resolved.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) Jakarta should set about resolving the Munir murder and other pending cases of human rights violations if it wants to avoid sanctions from the new US Congress dominated by Democrats. Local political analysts interviewed by the Jakarta Post daily warned the Indonesian government about possible repercussions on US-Indonesian ties of the Democrat victory in America's mid-term elections.
Dewi Fortuna Anwar of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences' (LIPI) said Democrats were known for their concern about human rights and would likely focus on the Munir case, which had already been brought before the former House of Representatives. "Don't be surprised if there is a congressional resolution on the murder of the activist Munir," she said, adding that the authorities' lack of commitment to solve the murder could negatively affect US assistance to Indonesia and could include cuts to economic and military aid.
"Don't forget that the waiver of the US military embargo on Indonesia is not permanent. The assistance is reviewed each year. A Democrat-dominated Congress can cancel military assistance if it has reason to believe that Indonesia has a poor record on human rights," continued Dewi.
Human rights activist Munir Said Thalib, who had often criticized the Indonesian army, was murdered by poisoning on a Garuda (Indonesian airlines) flight in September 2004. Lower courts found evidence linking top National Intelligence Agency officials to his murder, although none have ever been charged.
An ex-pilot of Garuda, the only man tried and imprisoned since 2005 in relation with the crime, will be released shortly. Two months ago, the Supreme Court acquitted him due to lack of evidence.
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12/11/2004
