Paras Indonesia, 08, 14 2006 @ 10:43 pm
MMI Requests Military Training
Posted by: Roy Tupai
Ignoring the fact that a shaky ceasefire has come into effect, the Indonesian Mujahidin
Council (MMI) has asked the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) and National Police to
provide military training for volunteers seeking to help Lebanon and Palestine wage
war against Israel.
"As citizens, we have the rights to get military skills to help the Lebanese and
Palestinians. We want to be transparent and open in asking for the training," MMI
spokesman Fauzan Al Anshari was quoted as saying Monday (14/8/06) by state
news agency Antara.
He said at least 500 MMI members were ready to depart for jihad (holy war) in
Lebanon and Palestine. He claimed their intention to go to the Middle East was in line
with Indonesia's foreign policy of actively participating in creating world peace.
Al Anshari said the government's plan to send a battalion of TNI personnel to join a
United Nations-led peacekeeping force in Lebanon would fail to stop Israel's military
aggression.
He said the Israeli aggression could only be stopped by arresting Israeli Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert and US President George Bush as war criminals and sending
them to the International Court of Justice.
Several other Indonesian groups have announced their readiness to fight in the Middle
East. The Islamic Defenders' Front (FPI) claims it has 2,000 people ready for jihad,
while the State Defense Volunteers in West Kalimantan claims 3,117 people have
registered as jihad bombers.
Lebanese Ambassador to Indonesia Hassan Muslimani has declined offers of fighters
from other countries, saying his country can still defend itself from Israeli aggression.
"We, however, highly appreciate the spirit of the Indonesian fighters who want to help
us fight the Israeli forces, but what we really want is moral support from other nations
around the world," he was quoted as saying by Antara.
MMI's calls for training from TNI will likely fall on deaf ears. The group was founded by
radical cleric Abu Bakar Baasyir, who was jailed for conspiracy over the 2002 Bali
nightclub bombings.
Ceasefire
A UN-brokered truce to end over a month of fighting between Israel and Lebanon came
into effect on Monday, paving the way for the entry of a planned 15,000-member UN
peacekeeping force. It remains to be seen whether the ceasefire, part of a UN
Security Council resolution aimed at stop the fighting that has claimed over 1,000
lives, will result in a lasting peace.
Indonesia has prepared a battalion of 850 troops to contribute to the force. "We are
ready. We are ready to send the troops whenever instructed," TNI operations
assistant Majoral General Bambang Darmono was quoted as saying by Antara.
He said the personnel and their equipment, such as tanks and tactical vehicles, were
ready to depart. "Our departure for Lebanon depends on the government's decision,"
he added.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Sunday discussed preparations for the
peacekeeping operation, which could last for up to a year. "Normally such an
assignment lasts for six months up to one year and therefore we are ready to carry
out the task within that period," he said.
Muhammadiyah Denies Sending Arms
Din Syamsuddin, chairman of the nation's second largest Muslim organization
Muhammadiyah on Friday denied media reports that he helped to buy weapons for
Lebanon. Reports had quoted him as saying Indonesians wishing to fight against
should instead provide donations to help buy weapons for Lebanon's Hizbullah.
Syamsuddin said the reports were due to a misunderstanding. "The truth is that I was
saying that jihad to Palestine and Lebanon was not necessary. The funds should be
collected and sent to Palestine, Lebanon and Hezbollah for their needs, which could
be food, medicines, or weapons," he said.
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