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Troublesome Transfers in the Works
IndonesiaArms Sales Tables:
Background: From 1966 to 1999, the U.S. was the principal supplier of weapons to Indonesia, a notorious human rights abuser under the Suharto regime. In reaction to public pressure and evidence of the use of U.S. equipment in abuses by the Indonesian military -- such as use of U.S.-supplied M-16 assault rifles in the November 1991 massacre of peaceful demonstrators the East Timor capital of Dili -- Congress prohibited U.S. International Military Education and Training for Indonesia in 1992, and the sale of small arms, riot gear, and other crowd control equipment in 1994. But U.S. policy still permitted sales of other major weapons systems to Indonesia until one week after the August 30, 1999 referendum in East Timor, which was followed by a massacre and forced displacement of pro-independence East Timorese by militia backed by Indonesian forces. At that time, President Clinton placed a moratorium on all military transfers, and since then, successive Foreign Operations Appropriations laws have prohibited most U.S. military aid and training to Indonesia until a number of human rights improvements are made, especially regarding the situation of East Timorese held guard in camps in Indonesian territory.
Violence is also on the rise in other parts of Indonesia, including Aceh and Moluccas, where Indonesian forces are again accused of human rights abuses in their battles against separatists.
In late January 2001, the State Department lifted a ban on spare parts for C-130 cargo aircraft to enable Indonesia to put their fleet back into operation. The reason for this decision was Indonesia's need to move troops out of Moluccas and to conduct humanitarian operations elsewhere in Indonesia. It remains to be seen whether the equipment will also be used to bring more troops into tense areas, and whether past abuses by these troops will continue.
The fight against terrorism is also providing a pretext for relaxing restrictions on aid and arms sales to Indonesia. The administration lifted the ban on sales of non-lethal military equipment in recognition of Jakarta's support of U.S. counter-terrorism actions. The Pentagon would also like to renew full military cooperation but for now is deterred by continuing human rights problems.
Expected Decision Date: Continued criteria on military aid and training is in the FY2002 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, now being finalized in a House-Senate Conference Committee.
Additional Background information on Indonesia