Will separatists attack a state of kindness
I wanted to make comment on the recent reports from Indonesia about the possibility of aid workers coming under attack from rebel separatists. The story so far is - if the aid workers move outside the immediate area of Banda Aceh they will be subject to attack.
Now what I'm about to say is controversial and to some may seem cold hearted. If aid workers are in a country - any country at the request of the country's government then should it not be the responsibility of that government to protect the aid workers ? Logically yes. But I believe that the Indonesian government are loathe to stop these separatists in this region and at this time because they don't want international attention and they don't really care.
It's happened before. In East Timor back in 1999 the Indonesian Army failed to protect Australian troops on a humanitarian mission. Subsequently our forces came under fire. Sound familiar ?
Thats exactly what we're on now but this time we're un-armed at the request of the Indonesian government. Do you honestly think the Indonesian Army will go in and protect our people ? If they don't want international attention of the wrong kind (ie. bad press = no more money) then they certainly won't be using the army to take action and protect aid workers will they.
I am a supporter of the government of Prime Minister John Howard, but I think they got this aid package wrong. Australia sent military support to Indonesia on a humanitarian mission, one which should be armed to protect itself, however the Indonesian government insisted that they be un-armed. The Australian government decided to go ahead with the aid package anyway. I believe they should have said to Indonesia, no arms - no deal. It's a tough thing to say when so many people are suffering but the number one rule of a rescuer is don't become the victim yourself.
Australia is enjoying a new found feeling of compassion in a "State of Kindness" never seen before. I wonder how we will feel if Australian soldiers and aid workers start coming home in plywood boxes draped with the Australian flag. Even worse how will we feel in years to come when the aid we sent is used by the rebels to expand thier network and ultimately, possibly, then used to attack foreign interests and citizens. Lets not forget it's been just 4 months since the Australian Embassy was bombed in Jakarta.
Given the history of East Timor, our troops should be in there armed and ready to protect all Australians and assets should they be attacked.
Now what I'm about to say is controversial and to some may seem cold hearted. If aid workers are in a country - any country at the request of the country's government then should it not be the responsibility of that government to protect the aid workers ? Logically yes. But I believe that the Indonesian government are loathe to stop these separatists in this region and at this time because they don't want international attention and they don't really care.
It's happened before. In East Timor back in 1999 the Indonesian Army failed to protect Australian troops on a humanitarian mission. Subsequently our forces came under fire. Sound familiar ?
Thats exactly what we're on now but this time we're un-armed at the request of the Indonesian government. Do you honestly think the Indonesian Army will go in and protect our people ? If they don't want international attention of the wrong kind (ie. bad press = no more money) then they certainly won't be using the army to take action and protect aid workers will they.
I am a supporter of the government of Prime Minister John Howard, but I think they got this aid package wrong. Australia sent military support to Indonesia on a humanitarian mission, one which should be armed to protect itself, however the Indonesian government insisted that they be un-armed. The Australian government decided to go ahead with the aid package anyway. I believe they should have said to Indonesia, no arms - no deal. It's a tough thing to say when so many people are suffering but the number one rule of a rescuer is don't become the victim yourself.
Australia is enjoying a new found feeling of compassion in a "State of Kindness" never seen before. I wonder how we will feel if Australian soldiers and aid workers start coming home in plywood boxes draped with the Australian flag. Even worse how will we feel in years to come when the aid we sent is used by the rebels to expand thier network and ultimately, possibly, then used to attack foreign interests and citizens. Lets not forget it's been just 4 months since the Australian Embassy was bombed in Jakarta.
Given the history of East Timor, our troops should be in there armed and ready to protect all Australians and assets should they be attacked.
posted by Peter Konnecke at
13:51
