The Jakarta Post, September 24, 2002
Confusion reigns over al-Faruq's extradition
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Confusion reigned on Monday over the status of suspected terrorist Omar al-Faruq
when Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said, in contradiction to earlier
remarks by other officials, that his extradition to the U.S. was not linked to the
government's efforts against terrorism.
"What really happened was just a common deportation, because of immigration
regulation violations. Everyday our immigration does that (deports people)," Hassan
told reporters on the sidelines of a hearing with the House of Representatives
Commission I on politics, security and foreign affairs.
Hassan's statement supported an earlier claim by Minister of Justice and Human
Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra, who said the move (against al-Faruq) had nothing to do
with allegations that al-Faruq was part of Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terror network
in the region.
"Al-Faruq cannot be declared a terrorist because Indonesia has yet to have an
antiterrorism law. We deported him because he was accused of violating immigration
law. We did not charge him as a terrorist because such a charge has no legal basis
here," Yusril said.
Hassan and Yusril's statements conflicted with earlier claims by security authorities,
who insisted that al-Faruq was an Indonesian citizen wanted by the U.S. government
for terrorist acts in the U.S. even prior to the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Al-Faruq was therefore arrested and deported from Indonesia as part of an intelligence
operation involving Indonesia's intelligence service and the Central Intelligence Agency
(CIA) of the U.S.
"The arrest was the result of cooperation between the Indonesian police and
intelligence as well as foreign intelligence sources under a cooperation framework in
the fight against terrorism," Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was quoted by this newspaper as saying last week.
Susilo insisted that the move was part of intensified attempts to crack down on
terrorism in the country. Many believe that the operation against al-Faruq was
mounted after the authorities accepted a document from the CIA which revealed a plot
to assassinate President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
Religious leaders and politicians here have questioned the credibility of the document,
arguing that it could be fabricated by the U.S. as part of a disinformation campaign
directed at Indonesia.
They have demanded that the U.S. provide clear and solid proof of its recent claims
that terrorist cells were operating in Indonesia and that they were threatening the lives
of foreigners in the country.
Responding to the mounting criticism, Susilo defended his stance on Monday, saying
that the authorities would never sit back and let the country be intimidated by any
kind of threat involving terrorist activities.
"I heard that the government has been urged to take a clear stance over terrorism
issues. But I guess the public already knows it," Susilo said, without elaborating.
Susilo made the remark after holding a special meeting with National Police chief
Gen. Da'i Bachtiar and State Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief A.M. Hendropriyono.
The conflicting statements by Cabinet ministers have once again shown
inconsistency on part of government officials in dealing with the issue. The country's
intelligence apparatus have also been under fire for the way they conduct the war on
terrorism. Legal experts have warned that the operations conducted by the country's
intelligence service are prone to rights abuses, while legislators suspect the move is
being made under pressure from the U.S.
On Monday, 22 members of Commission I signed a petition rejecting any form of U.S.
intervention, especially relating to the issue of terrorism.
Brushing aside comments that the country had bowed to U.S. pressure, Yusril said
that Indonesia would not surrender a militant Islamic leader widely accused of terror
plots.
He was quoted in the Republika daily as saying last week that Indonesia would not
authorize the extradition of Abubakar Ba'asyir, linked by Time magazine to an alleged
threat against U.S. embassies in Jakarta and elsewhere in Southeast Asia.
"Who accuses him of being a terrorist? It's a new accusation from the United States.
We can't accept it just like that because we don't yet have an antiterrorism law,"
Yusril said, adding that his ministry would defend Ba'asyir.
Ba'asyir is chairman of the Indonesian Mujahidin Council, an umbrella organization
that advocates Islamic law.
He was reported to have contact with al-Faruq, whom the CIA say admitted to being
the Southeast Asian kingpin of the al-Qaeda terror network.
Singapore has labeled Ba'asyir a leader of alleged terrorist organization Jemaah
Islamiyah (JI).
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
