Sunday, 20 Jul, 2003, 1:36am

Hefley Press Release on IMET Restriction

July 16, 2003

Hefley Strips Indonesia Of Military Training Funds Until U.S., Coloradan
Receive Answers To Terrorist Attack

(Washington, D.C. - July 16, 2003) U.S. Representative Joel Hefley (R-CO)
today
won passage of an amendment to punish Indonesia for its lax investigation
into
an August 2002 terrorist attack that left two Americans dead and eight
critically wounded. The amendment was included as part of the fiscal years
2004
and 2005 Foreign Relations Authorization Act, and will prevent Indonesia from
receiving International Military Education and Training (IMET) funds until
the
President and Congress conclude that Indonesia and the Indonesian Armed
Forces
are conducting a full investigation of the attack and criminally prosecuting
the perpetrators.

"The victims of this attack and their families deserve a thorough
investigation
by the Indonesian and U.S. governments," said Hefley. "It is not too much to
demand answers about who orchestrated and carried out this ambush and see the
perpetrators brought to justice. Until the Indonesian government decides to
cooperate with U.S. investigators and provide credible and honest answers
about
the attack, the U.S. will withhold military education and training funds."

Littleton, Colorado resident Patsy Spier, who was a victim of the attack and
whose husband was killed, approached Hefley in March about seeking support
for
a thorough investigation of the attack. At her urging, Hefley wrote to
President Bush seeking a hold on IMET funds and introduced an amendment to do
the same.

The attack occurred as teachers from the Tembagapura International School
were
on a picnic outing in Papua, Indonesia on August 31, 2002. The two vehicles
carrying the passengers were ambushed, killing Coloradan Rick Spier,
Oregonian
Tom Burgon and one Indonesian man, and injuring eight others, including a six-
year-old child.

Following an investigation of the attack, the Indonesian Police issued a
report
concluding that "there is a strong possibility that the Tambagapura case was
perpetrated by members of the Indonesian National Army Force...." In November
2002, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that "United States intelligence
agencies have intercepted messages between Indonesian army commanders

indicating that they were involved in staging an ambush at the remote mine
in
which three school teachers, two of them Americans, were killed...."

Despite this intelligence, the investigation of the attack has faltered. The
Indonesian police have been removed from the case and responsibility for the
investigation has been given to the Indonesian military, which has exonerated
itself. American investigative teams have attempted to conduct their own
investigation, but have been prevented from fully examining the evidence.

"The evasions and obstructions of the Indonesian military are wholly
unacceptable," said Hefley. "The victims deserve to know their assailants and
the American government needs to know. Our country is vigilant in its war on
terrorism and will not abide foreign nations that instigate terrorist attacks
or harbor terrorists. The Indonesian government needs to realize that our
withholding of education and training dollars is only one salvo in our effort
to bring the perpetrators of the Papua attacks to justice. We will use every
resource available to get the answers we need and deserve."

A Senate amendment was introduced by Russ Feingold (D-WI), but is pending
approval by the full Senate. The content of Hefley's floor statement follows:

Statement of the Honorable Joel Hefley
Amendment to HR 1950

Mr. Chairman, my amendment is intended to highlight a troubling situation in
Indonesia.

On August 31, 2002, the staff of the International School in West Papua,
Indonesia decided to take a picnic. The teachers lived and worked in
Tembagapura, a company town located high in the mountains near the Grasberg
gold and copper mine. The group of eleven people, including a six-year old
child, drove in two vehicles to a picnic site about ten miles away on the
road
to Timika. Because it began to rain, they decided to return to town for
lunch.

The road they were traveling on is not an ordinary road. The road is
surrounded
by the gold and copper mine, and is heavily guarded by the Indonesian
military.
At both ends of this mountain road are military check points, which seals the
road and control access to Tembagapura.

As they returned home, the group was brutally attacked by a band of
terrorists.
Two Americans, Ted Burgon (from Oregon) and Rick Spier (from Colorado), and
an
Indonesian man were killed in the ambush. The attack, which occured less than
a
half-mile away from an Indonesian military check point, went on for
approximately 45 minutes. Hundreds of rounds were fired at the teachers and
their vehicles. Most of the survivors, including the six-year old child, were
shot. Several of the teachers were shot multiple times and suffered horrible
injuries.

Ted Burgon of Sunriver, Oregon was killed and his wife Nancy suffered facial
cuts and abrasions. Rick Spier of Littleton, Colorado was killed, and his
wife
Patsy was shot in the back and foot. Francine Goodfriend of Rockford,
Illinois
was shot and has a spinal cord injury.

Steven Emma of Broward County, Florida was shot in the legs, buttocks, and
suffered injuries to his back. Lynn Poston of Olga, Washington was shot in

the
shoulder and legs. Suandra Hopkins of Sunriver, Oregon was shot in the side,
legs, and pellets around the eye and his wife Taia was shot in the buttocks.

Following the attack, the Indonesian Police promptly began an investigation.
They collected evidence, interviewed witnesses and reconstructed the ambush.
The Indonesian Police issued a report (that I ask for unamous consent to
submit
for the record) concluding, "there is a strong possibility that the
Tambagapura
case was perpetrated by members of the Indonesian National Army Force,
however,
it still needs to be investigated further."

In early November 2002, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that "United
States
intelligence agencies have intercepted messages between Indonesian army
commanders indicating that they were involved in staging an ambush at the
remote mine in which three school teachers, two of them Americans, were
killed...." The Washington Post has reported these same intelligence
intercepts.

Despite this intelligence, the investigation of the attack has faltered. The
Indonesian Police have been effectively removed from the case due to their
report that implicated the military. The two senior Indonesian police
officers
who uncovered evidence of the army's involvement have been transferred to new
posts, and the investigation has now been handed over to a joint military
police team. Not surprisingly, the Indonesian military has exonerated itself.
American investigative teams, including the FBI, have not been able to
complete
their investigations due mainly to the Indonesian military's refusal to
cooperate and its tampering of evidence.

The evasions and obstructions of the Indonesian military are wholly
unacceptable, and it is incumbent upon this Congress to see that a thorough
investigation is conducted. The victims of this brutal attack deserve no
less.
My amendment is, therefore, intended to ensure that the perpetrators of this
heinous crime against Americans are brought to justice. To the extent that
the
Indonesian military was involved, the United States should insist on criminal
prosecution of all involved parties.

My amendment would limit Indonesia from receiving International Military
Education and Training (IMET) funds until the President certifies to Congress
that the Government of Indonesia and the Indonesian Armed Forces are taking
effective measures, including cooperating with the Director of the FBI, in
conducting a full investigation of the attack and to criminally prosecute the
individuals responsible for the attack.

My amendment will not prohibit the United States from continuing to conduct
programs or training with the Indonesian Armed Forces, including counter-
terrorism training, officer visits, port visits, or educational exchanges
that
are being conducted on the date of enactment it would prevent future
exchanges.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment is important. It gives voice to our commitment
that the United States will hold accountable the perpetrators and protectors
of
terrorism. We will exhaust every means to protect our citizens. We will
pursue

terrorists wherever they may be and hold to account. We will demand justice
for
attacks against our citizens and withhold aid from thosecountries that do not
cooperate in bringing terrorists to justice. As President Bush has stated,
"if
you are not with us you are against us." It is time for Indonesia to choose
who
it will align itself with, the terrorists or the coalition of nations that
bring them to justice.

Make no mistake, a vote against this amendment is a vote against holding
nations accountable for terrorist attacks.

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