archive

Indonesia's special forces have not been brought to justice - or cleaned up its act (24 Jul 2010)
The Washington Post - In announcing this week that the United States would lift a 12-year-long ban on providing military assistance and training to Indonesia's special forces unit, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates spoke about the Indonesian military's reforms and said it is prepared to ensure accountability for any human rights abuses by its soldiers. My experience with Indonesia's special forces and its justice system lead me to think President Obama is making a dangerous mistake.

Papua businesses call for bigger role (24 Jul 2010)
The Jakarta Post - Papuan businesspeople are calling for more involvement in projects in the province, saying they wanted to be active participants instead of outsiders.

Government Debates Failings and Successes in Aceh, Papua (23 Jul 2010)
Jakarta Globe - The government has acknowledged it needs to run more development programs in Papua and Aceh provinces, saying the existing programs are not enough.

Rights groups slam US-Indonesia ties (23 Jul 2010)
The Sydney Morning Herald - Human rights groups reacted angrily on Friday to the US military's resumption of ties with Indonesian special forces accused of ongoing human rights violations in the young democracy.

In Papua, A Threat By OPM Separatists (23 Jul 2010)
Jakarta Globe - The separatist Free Papua Movement, which has been engaged in a low-profile armed resistance against the Indonesian presence in the province since the 1960s, on Thursday threatened to step up attacks against the government until Papuan independence was granted.