Markus Junianto Sihaloho, Jakarta – The restoration of cooperation between the Indonesian Army's Special Forces and the US military is already in the implementation phase and will not be brought up during President Barack Obama's visit next week, Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said on Thursday.
In July, visiting US Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced a resumption of ties with Kopassus, ending a 12-year ban imposed over allegations of human rights violations.
Purnomo said that neither President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono nor Obama would address the matter, which he said was being handled through meetings of military officials from both countries.
"The restoration of relations has begun," he said. "The matter is no longer in the hands of the heads of state, but already in the implementation phase." Purnomo added that as an indication of the thawing ties, Kopassus commander Maj. Gen. Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus had been invited to visit the US Pacific Command headquarters "in the near future."
He also said the US government fully supported Indonesia's efforts to conduct reforms in the Armed Forces (TNI). "For instance, in the case of the upcoming court-martial of soldiers alleged to have tortured Papuan civilians, I received a phone call from the US Embassy, and they [said they] really support our moves," he said.
In a graphic 10-minute video posted on YouTube last month, six soldiers were shown torturing two Papuan detainees, burning their genitals and threatening them with a knife and a gun in order to obtain information.
Some activists in Papua, where Kopassus and other units of the TNI are widely accused of gross rights abuses, have called on foreign governments to cease all cooperation with the Indonesian military in light of such disturbing evidence. However, other rights activists argue that greater cooperation is needed to expedite military reforms.
Meanwhile, Taufik Kiemas, speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), said on Thursday that he expected Obama's visit next week to have a positive effect on relations between the two countries.
"Indonesia and the US are both members of the G-20," he said. "I'm sure the US government has a lot of interest in fostering better relations with Indonesia."
Taufik also called for the issue of the renewal of US mining giant Freeport's concession in Papua to be discussed during the state visit. Freeport's permit to operate the Grasberg Mine, the world's biggest copper and gold mine, expires in a few years' time.
The mine has long symbolized grievances of native Papuans, who accuse the Jakarta administration of stripping the province's wealth and leaving little behind. The separatist Free Papua Organization (OPM) has centered much of its attacks on the mine and related interests.
Taufik said the Grasberg concession should be awarded to the company that will provide "the biggest benefits for the people."