TEMPO, 20 April 2004
National
Boyce: Ba'asyir Threat to World Security
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:US Ambassador to Indonesia Ralph L. Boyce has denied
that he intervened in the legal process of Abu Bakar Ba'asyir, convicted of immigration
and identity-card fraud.
According to the US Ambassador, the legal settlement as regards Ba'asyir is an
internal affair of Indonesia.
However, Boyce said that the US Government had been disappointed with the ruling
made by the Supreme Court (MA) at the appeal level, which reduced Ba'asyir's jail
sentence.
"Ba'asyir's release will threaten the security of countries throughout world, including
Indonesia," he told reporters at his office in Jakarta on Monday (19/4).
According to Boyce, the US Government is convinced that Ba'asyir, the supreme
leader of the Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI), has personally been involved and
even led international terrorism activities, including the Bali bombing incident on
October 12, 2002.
He added that this was based on strong evidence.
Still, Boyce stated, the US Government accepted all decisions on Ba'asyir's case
based on the legal system of Indonesia.
"We do respect the independent judicial system in Indonesia," he said.
Boyce denied that the US Government had intervened in the internal affairs of
Indonesian Government. He admitted having met with Muhammadiyah organization
chairman, Syafi'ie Ma'arif several days ago.
However, Boyce denied that he had delivered a special message related to the
Ba'asyir's case, such as requesting Ma'arif's help to lobby several Indonesian officials
to keep Ba'asyir under arrest.
He considered this as very unrealistic, adding that the US Government wanted
Indonesian authorities to be able to settle this important matter properly.
Ma'arif said that Boyce did not explicitly ask his help to talk to National Police chief,
Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, and Supreme Court chief of justice, Bagir Manan, and request
them to keep Ba'asyir under arrest.
"But, he did ask me to request the law enforcers in Indonesia to carry out any
possible measure in this matter. It is obvious that he was referring to National Police
chief and Supreme Court chief of justice," said Ma'arif.
He added that there was a witness in their meeting.
Ma'arif stated that Boyce was forced to reveal the threat coming from the US
Government should the Indonesian Government insist on releasing Ba'asyir at the end
of his jail sentence. "Well, aid for Indonesia will be reduced," Ma'arif said.
(Faisal/Wahyu D/Maria Hasugian-Koran Tempo)
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