Jakarta – The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) claims a report by state investigators that confirmed the military orchestrated recent atrocities in East Timor was clearly biased.
TNI Commander Admiral Widodo Adisutjipto yesterday told parliament the military will meet with the investigators to "clarify" the findings before following up the report.
The government's Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (KPP-HAM) last week acknowledged that TNI troops organized and supported pro-Jakarta militias which went on a murderous rampage after almost 80% of East Timorese voted for independence on August 30.
The KPP team on Monday said it will summon former TNI commander General Wiranto and other high-ranking military officers who allegedly masterminded the atrocities.
The team said it will summon the generals after obtaining permission from President Abdurrahman Wahid, who is now on his third overseas trip since assuming office in late October.
Widodo said the findings target the military and are biased because the investigators only gathered data and information from pro-independence East Timorese.
"Their conclusion is based on the testimony of a certain group which they claim to be eyewitnesses. If the witnesses are only from one side, let's say the pro-independence group, it wasn't fair," he said.
Analysts point out that about 80% of East Timorese are from pro-independence "group", while many of those in the militia were forced to join by the TNI.
But Widodo insisted that TNI was being unfairly treated. "To get balanced results, we have to hear witnesses from the other side. That's why we need further clarification of the findings from them to find objectivity." Widodo claimed TNI is ready to cooperate with the fact-finding commission to obtain "the truth".
Echoing Widodo's statement, TNI Spokesman Major General Sudrajat also complained about the report's conclusion, saying it came from one-sided witnesses who gave tendentious testimonies.
"They [the investigators] should be aware that most people in Dili are pro-independence and anti-Indonesia.Well of course, it's their pleasure to give their tendentious views to corner the Indonesian government," he said.
Sudrajat said the findings should be delivered to the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), which set up the investigative team on East Timor.
"I think it would be better if we give it [the report] back to Komnas HAM to check the conclusions and then make it balanced," he said sternly.