ABC AUSTRALIA, 26/05/2004 20:54:45
Terror research group fears expulsion from Indonesia
The most respected source of research into terrorism in South East Asia says it
believes the Indonesian government is preparing to expel it from the country.
The International Crisis Group (ICG) says its Jakarta director and other staff have had
their work permits withdrawn, amid complaints that its reports are biased.
ICG staff member, Sydney Jones, has become internationally known for her research
into the Jemmah Islamiah organisation, as well as into Indonesian conflict regions,
including Aceh and Papua.
Now her Indonesian work permit and those of other ICG staff have not been renewed.
She says serious accusations have been made about her in a meeting between the
Indonesian Parliament's Commission on Security and the country's national
intelligence agencies.
Our Indonesia correspondent, Tim Palmer, says the latest comments have come from
Foreign Minister, Hassan Wiriyuda, who has criticised the accuracy of her reports.
Against that, the head of the International Crisis Group, former Australian Foreign
Minister, Gareth Evans, says he has complete confidence in the competence and
integrity of Sydney Jones, saying the expulsion of the ICG from Indonesia would
damage the country's reputation.
26/05/2004 20:54:45 | ABC Radio Australia News
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