Last month, Indonesia's stance on human rights was put into question after a video clip surfaced, which showed members of the Indonesian military (TNI) torturing natives from the province of Papua, who were suspected of being members of the provinces separatist movement. Papua is Indonesia's eastern-most province and is populated by a large native population (50% of the province's total population) that has often felt patronized by the central government, whose exploitation of the province's natural resources has not improved standards of living for average Papuans. The federal government's decentralization efforts have also been ineffective in developing the province (as noted in the President's state of the nation speech). There have been many periods of unrest as many separatist groups have pushed violently both for autonomy and for greater financial support from the central government.
Why the video is important: The US just recently agreed to reestablish ties with the Indonesian special military group known as Kopassus. Previously, the Leahy law prohibited US troops from training any forces whose members were convicted of human rights abuses unless the government was taking definitive measures to bring those responsible to justice. In reestablishing limited ties with Kopassus, Indonesia agreed to remove those convicted of abuses from the military and to strengthen internal policing.
Big Picture:
The Obama administration's moves to strengthen ties in the region, particularly with Indonesia, which boasts the largest Muslim population in the world, is part of the US effort to create a counterweight to China's growing regional influence. Obama's piggy-backing off of Hilary Clinton's successful trip to the region and the administration's efforts to join and strengthen the Trans-Pacific Partnership are more signs that illustrate the administration's commitment to strengthening US-ASEAN relations. Obama would have to do very little to show more attention to ASEAN than George W. Bush, who never once conducted a high-level trip the region bordering China. But Obama's strategy is more than just paying heed to a sometimes-neglected developing region. With US-China relations becoming a shouting match between to economic and military competitors, ASEAN is becoming an increasingly important potential partner for the US and more importantly, an alternative to communist China. Some Chinese worry that the US's strengthening ties with ASEAN is a new type of containment, a term US officials are quick to dismiss. Despite the increased ire from China-hawks in the media and congress, containment is not what anybody wants in a time of economic and political uncertainty. Interestingly, President of the world's other emerging economy, Manmohanan Singh of India, has just returned home after circling China during his trip across Southeast Asia. The Chinese government, whose actions both at home and abroad give off an air of nationalism and paranoia, is to somewhat understandably curious about future of US presence in Asia.
Why the video is important: The US just recently agreed to reestablish ties with the Indonesian special military group known as Kopassus. Previously, the Leahy law prohibited US troops from training any forces whose members were convicted of human rights abuses unless the government was taking definitive measures to bring those responsible to justice. In reestablishing limited ties with Kopassus, Indonesia agreed to remove those convicted of abuses from the military and to strengthen internal policing.
Big Picture:
The Obama administration's moves to strengthen ties in the region, particularly with Indonesia, which boasts the largest Muslim population in the world, is part of the US effort to create a counterweight to China's growing regional influence. Obama's piggy-backing off of Hilary Clinton's successful trip to the region and the administration's efforts to join and strengthen the Trans-Pacific Partnership are more signs that illustrate the administration's commitment to strengthening US-ASEAN relations. Obama would have to do very little to show more attention to ASEAN than George W. Bush, who never once conducted a high-level trip the region bordering China. But Obama's strategy is more than just paying heed to a sometimes-neglected developing region. With US-China relations becoming a shouting match between to economic and military competitors, ASEAN is becoming an increasingly important potential partner for the US and more importantly, an alternative to communist China. Some Chinese worry that the US's strengthening ties with ASEAN is a new type of containment, a term US officials are quick to dismiss. Despite the increased ire from China-hawks in the media and congress, containment is not what anybody wants in a time of economic and political uncertainty. Interestingly, President of the world's other emerging economy, Manmohanan Singh of India, has just returned home after circling China during his trip across Southeast Asia. The Chinese government, whose actions both at home and abroad give off an air of nationalism and paranoia, is to somewhat understandably curious about future of US presence in Asia.
Back to the Video:
The video clearly indicates the military still has human rights problems even after the US deemed it appropriate to re-enage with the group. While it would be easy to paint the Obama administration's decision to work with TNI and Kopassus as a sign of, at best, a careless and, at worst, a willing support of a repressive army, leaders in the US and Indonesian governments have preempted these criticisms, saying that this video is exactly why the US needs to be engaged. More likely the spread of this video could present an opportunity for more bilateral dialogue and (ahem) actually bring some attention to this strategic relationship.
The video clearly indicates the military still has human rights problems even after the US deemed it appropriate to re-enage with the group. While it would be easy to paint the Obama administration's decision to work with TNI and Kopassus as a sign of, at best, a careless and, at worst, a willing support of a repressive army, leaders in the US and Indonesian governments have preempted these criticisms, saying that this video is exactly why the US needs to be engaged. More likely the spread of this video could present an opportunity for more bilateral dialogue and (ahem) actually bring some attention to this strategic relationship.
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