| Home > South-East Asia >> Indonesia | |
Introduction
By Jon Land
During the period of political and economic turmoil which led to Suharto stepping down as president of Indonesia, Australian foreign affairs minister, Alexander Downer, praised the Indonesian military for the "restraint" which it had shown towards pro-democracy demonstrations. He expressed the view that this was related to the special and close relationship which the Australian government had developed over many years with the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI).
No other country has as deep and broad relationship with the Indonesian military, Downer told reporters in the wake of the crisis. The training of Indonesian soldiers and officers by the Australian Defence Force, the joint exercises, the high level inter-ministerial meetings and discussions on issues of security, Downer claimed, has helped make the Indonesian army more "professional" and aware of human rights issues.
These sentiments were echoed by Ian McLachlan, the minister for defence. "We think that without being in any way patronising or claiming too much credit, we probably have had some influence", he told reporters.
In the period that this relationship with ABRI has existed, nurtured by both Labor and Liberal federal governments, there has been no indication whatsoever that the Indonesian military has adopted values of democracy and social justice. Thousands upon thousands of people throughout Indonesia, in East Timor, West Papua and Aceh, have had their lives and their communities destroyed by the activities of ABRI.
ABRI continues to control politics with an iron fist. Any social force which steps outside the boundaries of "reform" acceptable to ABRI, are treated as they were when Suharto was in power -- beaten, tortured and murdered. Strikers are still being attacked. Student protests are still being broken-up. Independence demonstrators in East Timor are still being shot.
One big difference now however, is that more and more people across the world are watching what is happening in Indonesia.
They are asking why should their governments maintain support for a regime which is still run and controlled by ABRI and many of the old corrupt leaders associated with the former Suharto dictatorship. Surely this is hindering the aspirations of the mass of Indonesian people in their fight for democracy? The Australian government has adopted the "business as usual" approach. Despite the ongoing protests for democracy by students, workers, urban poor and peasants, the Australian government persists in supporting ABRI, the chief obstacle to real democratic change in Indonesia.
Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) is campaigning against the training of Indonesian soldiers and the provision of military aid to Indonesia. The Australian government must cease all ties with the Indonesian military while it continues to carry-out its repressive actions. Get active ... join ASIET. Say "NO" to dirty deals with the Indonesian military.