No ties with the Indonesian military!

Kerry Smith
April 21, 2007
Issue 
707

Joe Collins from the Australia West Papua Association said on April 19 that Australia should have no ties with the Indonesian military (TNI) until it is proven to have reformed. TNI commander Marshal Djoko Suyanto was visiting Canberra at the time to strengthen Australia-Indonesia military relations.

According to Collins, since December the TNI has been conducting a military operation in West Papua's highlands, which has caused thousands of locals to flee to the bush. Reports also indicate that the TNI is involved in illegal resource extraction in West Papua, including illegal logging.

AWPA believes that any training or aid given to the TNI could be used to oppress the West Papuan people.

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