Letter from the Head of the Parliamentary
Relations and Devolution Department, Foreign and Commonwealth
Office, to the Clerk of the Committee
Thank you for your letter of 16 July concerning
the use of Hawk Jets in Indonesia.
The FCO is aware of concerns that Hawk aircraft
might be used for internal repression in areas of conflict in
Indonesia, particularly Aceh. Senior members of the Indonesian
government and military have given repeated assurances that Hawks
and other sophisticated UK-supplied equipment will not be used
in Aceh, or in other conflict torn parts of Indonesia.
The report in The Guardian of 3 July
was made on the basis of a letter from the Indonesian Human Rights
Campaign (TAPOL) to FCO Minister, Mike O'Brien on 2 July. That
letter referred to an Indonesian Airforce operation "Recong
Terbang" that commenced on 29 May, suggesting that the operation
targeted Free Aceh Movement (GAM) rebels in Aceh. Our Ambassador
in Jakarta discussed the allegations with Co-ordinating Minister
Yudhoyono and the Commander of the Indonesian Air Force. They
both denied the reports. Neither helicopters nor fixed wing aircraft
were being used by the Air Force in operations against GAM in
Aceh. Operation Rencong Terbang is an annual reconnaissance exercise
over Western Indonesia, focusing on the Malacca Straits. It is
separate from counter-insurgency operations. We understand that
the exercise is linked to efforts to deal with piracy in South
East Asia. The UK supports such initiatives. Bambang Yudhoyono
also reconfirmed Indonesian Government policy that no British
military equipment would be used in counter-insurgency operations
in Indonesia.
We have no reason to doubt the information provided
by the Indonesian government. However, we continue to monitor
any reports of improper use of Hawk jets very closely.
I hope this information is helpful.
Parliamentary Relations & Devolution Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
19 July 2002
| 
