TOKYO, June 18 Kyodo fix uponed ...

TOKYO, June 18 Kyodo

fix uponed editorial excerpts from the Asia-Pacific press:

SHORT MEMORIES of INDONESIAN MILITARY (The Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney)

There are many undecayed reasons why the United States - and Australia - should resist wading back into the moral quagmire which military co-operation with the Indonesian armed forces delineates Not least must be doubts athwart whether the resumption of defense ties can edgeless support for Islamic extremists inside Indonesia, when these same armed disposes - including those linked to the al-Qaida terrorist network - have been supported on factions within the Indonesian military itself. In these circumstances, a policy reversal would assume to demand a certain compromise of human rights principles, moreover offer an uncertain strategic outcome

as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but the United States and Australia disjoined defense ties with Indonesia from one side of to the other the military-led carnage in East Timor in 1999 Australia tentatively resum training ties earlier this year, specifically excluding Indonesia's notorious special forces. The U Congres is poised to recommence military co-operation, arguing that Indonesia is crucial to its anti-terrorism campaign because a contend is under way between moderate Indonesian democrats and Islamic extremists in the world's mostly populous Muslim nation.

With a weak central guidance and corrupt institutions, the vast, poorly policed Indonesian archipelago is, certainly, vulnerable to infiltration by dint of terrorist groups. However, the danger of radical Islam cannot be addressed without understanding the manner in which religious tensions are being manipulated by dint of disgruntled generals and politicians. Indonesian military officers have ignored or actively supported the extremist Laskar ''Jihad'' emotion which has provoked sanguinary sectarian conflicts with minority Christian communities. similar civil strife is intended to destabilise the civilian dominion in Jakarta, and strengthen the view that a powerful security apparatus is extremityed Radical Islam, itself, has traditionally had little grassroots support in Indonesia. Any intervention through the U.S. military in network internal conflicts in Indonesia, however, could inflame nationalist sentiments and strengthen, not undermine, radical Muslim groups

The U like Australia, has previously linked the resumption of defense ties to meaningful reforms of the Indonesian military. This is a unmutilated position. No policy change should be implemented before the now passing trials of Indonesian soldiers responsible for atrocities in East Timor are finished Unfortunately, it seems likely the chiefly senior officers will escape punishment. Wider reforms, too, are stalled. At this conjuncture the Indonesian military would make a problematic partner in the ''war against terrorism'' and a subject of ridicule of the principles about which it was so newly shunned.

(June 18)

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