Dateline is Australian television's finest current affairs show. It's curious, investigative, questioning and challenging. Last night, reporter David O'Shea uncovered the murky world of Indonesian politics, where the military and police are disturbingly connected to Islamic militants. The West - including Australia and America - continue to provide untold millions to the Indonesians in its "war on terror."
But what if that money is being used to fund terrorist attacks against Indonesians and Westerners?
As ever, friends and enemies are not what they seem.
But what if that money is being used to fund terrorist attacks against Indonesians and Westerners?
As ever, friends and enemies are not what they seem.
10 Comments:
Its all a policy of appeasement by the Indonesian government.
To keep the disparate ethnic, religeous and geographical entity of Indonesia tegether the government tolerates radical Islam and the military.
To take either on may cause Indonesia to unravel.
That may be so, but it's an unholy alliance that should be openly debated in Australia and within Indo itself.
Not unlike Timor, where Australia has not pressured Jakarta to prosecute the killers behind the '99 atrocities, our government never seems to learn...
Yes (can I call you "Lowy"?) I think constant signals to the Indonesian military that the West is watching them may be one solution.
Basically that the military's human rights abuses and links to Islamic terrorism are being recorded - one way or another.
The Indonesia military puts up straw men (in 1965 it was the "Communists') to cement western support. The risk the military may actually be bombing to win this Western support is a factor that Western government must constantly consider.
I think, in the end, the growth of the Indonesian economy is the main path to democratic and national stability. The West can contribute to this by not allowing oil prices to get out of hand.
Lowy? Ha, I was called that at school, so I'd prefer not. Sure you understand.
Indo is certainly a complex case, to be sure, but simply hoping that Western aid will be used appropriately is misguided and typical of the West's newfound 'belief' in the 'war on terror.'
Blowback rules.
"AL?"
Year well try bringing the real culprits of East Timor (eg. General Waranto - who was the Army Chief) before a World Court and u will get a nationalist reaction in Indonesia that will attract moderate Indonesian to nasty nationalist institutions.
One such institution is the Indons brand of radical Islam. Another is the military ethos.
Between my moderate pressure and your idealism there's gotta be a better path.
AL suits just fine.
A middle path? There certainly should be. Radical Islam in Indo needs to be tackled, but solely through funding corrupt military and police? I think not.
Covertly financing moderate Muslim political/religious movements may also be useful.
While this smells of corruption at least some money will buy support from those potentially drawn to the radicals. Noting that the radicals are partially funded by the Saudi's.
All this, of course, is a dirty game.
I can see your point about human rights abusers and hope, one day, a Labor government (not Rudd, as he hasn't got the guts) will "out" some of these Indonesian army animals. Some type of court should give them the "Corby treatment" or even worse.
Pete
Everybody's hands are dirty.
The Labor party outing anybody? I think not. They're as complicit, if not more so than Howard and co. Let's not forget their years of supporting Soeharto.
Yes AL thats the problem.
Keating calling Suharto "father" ("pak" or "pater" or something like that).
Not much hope. Only that principled leaders put themselves up for election and people vote for them.. putting human rights over hip pockets.
Ian
Looks like one of your areas of expertise.
Yes unfortunately it seems it takes the Yanks to take the initiative - and the world (or some occasionally criminal element in Indonesia) to take notice. Of course initiative often goes the wrong way, but anyway.
All part of carrying a big stick. Something Australia doesn't think it has - maybe we do - depends on the scenerio.
Further to Ian's well described example.
When Australia with Cosgrove etc was almost too late saving the East Timorese, what went largely unnoticed (except by the Indonesians) was the buildup of US forces to add pressure to the Indonesian backdown.
Hence "East Timor required the unplanned deployment of the Kitty Hawk battle group and the Belleau Wood ARG." offshore to keep the Indons honest. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/timor-orbat.htm
So the moral of the story (I reckon) is that while the US more often than not sins, in East Timor (and Kosovo) they've done it right.
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