indons named over timor
Indons named over Timor AAP 26feb03
UNITED Nations prosecutors in East Timor have indicted Indonesia's former defence minister and military chief, Wiranto, for crimes against humanity in 1999.
But Indonesia's Government immediately announced it would ignore the charges against Wiranto - who now holds ambitions to run for president - and against six other generals, four of whom are still active. The serious crimes unit in Dili accuses the officers and the then governor of murder, deportation and persecution of independence supporters before and after the independence vote in August 1999.
It said money used to support pro-Jakarta militia, who waged a terror campaign that cost an estimated 1000 lives, was drawn from Indonesian Government funds.
"The militia groups acted together with TNI (the Indonesian armed forces) in a planned and systematic campaign that led to crimes against humanity," it said.
The indictment was filed yesterday at Dili District Court in East Timor.
Arrest warrants had been requested and would be forwarded to the Indonesian Attorney-General's office and to Interpol.
But Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said his country would simply ignore the UN indictments and would not move against Wiranto.
"He is a free man ... why take action?" Mr Wirayuda said. "Who gave them the mandate to indict Indonesians, under what basis, what authority?"
UN prosecutors have so far filed charges against 170 people, including Indonesian troops and militiamen, over the atrocities, but Jakarta has failed to hand anyone over for trial.
