TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Chief of the Indonesian Military (TNI) General Endriartono Sutarto has said that Indonesia has no objection if US military aid is stopped.
It is their right to give aid or not, the chief said in Jakarta on Friday (18/7).
General Endriartono made this comment after the US House of Representatives voting to block the training funds until Indonesia transparently uncovers the Timika case.
He went on to say that Indonesia has not received military aid from the US.
We have not received any aid from IMET [International Military Education and Training], he said.
The chief stated that an investigation carried out by the TNI showed that no TNI member was involved in the Timika case.
On August 31, 2002, two US citizens who worked at PT Freeport Indonesia were shot on the way to Tembagapura.
Two vehicles transporting passengers were ambushed and many people were wounded in the attack.
TNI and the National Police have held an investigation on this case.
However, the FBI then assigned an independent team to hold further investigation.
Regarding this, TNI spokesperson Major General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said that TNI will receive any kind of military aid as long as it will improve performance.
Besides, it should create mutual respect and mutual benefit, Sjafrie added.
Sjafrie went on to say TNI will not accept aid that could disturb the nations sovereignty.
TNI will not receive an aid that led to another country controlling Indonesia.
We will not beg for military aid, he said.
(Indra Darmawan Tempo News Room)
