US ponders Indonesia military ties

The US is frustrated with Jakarta's efforts to combat terror

By Nick Childs BBC Pentagon correspondent

Pentagon officials say the US military is discussing sending experts to Indonesia to help identify victims of the devastating weekend bomb explosions in Bali.

You cannot pretend it [terrorism] doesn't exist in your country

US Secretary of State Colin Powell

But the bombings may also boost the Pentagon's case for increasing military contacts with Indonesia.

The US Congress severed military-to-military ties with Indonesia because the army there was found to have committed atrocities against civilians.

But now, top US leaders are calling for renewed ties with the military to stem the threat of terrorism in Indonesia.

US demands action

Pentagon officials have told BBC News Online that there is some talk of sending military experts from their Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii to aid the identification process.

Powell announced a $50m anti-terrorism package for Indonesia in August

But the officials stress that no decisions have been made, and that any such move would depend on a request from the Indonesian authorities.

It may be only a limited move at best.

But more generally, the bombings could boost the argument of top Pentagon officials that the US should increase its military ties with the troubled country.

The US Deputy Defence Secretary, Paul Wolfowitz, who is a former US ambassador to Indonesia, is a leading advocate.

Washington has been frustrated with Indonesia's efforts so far to clamp down on the terror threat in the country.

"You cannot pretend it [terrorism] doesn't exist in your country," US Secretary of State Colin Powell said at a news conference on Tuesday, adding that he hoped the attack would reinforce Indonesia's resolve to deal with terrorism.

US President George W Bush said he was going to call Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri about the attack.

"And I hope I hear the resolve of a leader that recognises that any time terrorists take hold in a country it is going to weaken the country itself," Mr Bush said.

"There has to be a firm and deliberate desire to find the killers before they kill somebody else."

Congress restrictions

But the Bush administration and the Pentagon, in particular, have also been at odds and frustrated with the US Congress.

The US has been training troops in the Philippines

US Congress has restricted defence contacts with Indonesia because of concerns about the Indonesian military's human rights record, not least in East Timor.

There are limited exercises dealing with disaster relief, and there is some classroom training in counterterrorism.

In August, Mr Powell announced a $50m anti-terrorism assistance package for Indonesia.

The package includes $16m for Indonesia's police force, with $12m for the establishment of a special anti-terror unit.

And there was also $400,000 to restart an exchange programme for high-level military officers.

Military reform

But the Pentagon would like to do more.

Top Pentagon officials point out that the situation is different from the Philippines, where the US military has been training the Philippines armed forces in counter-terrorism operations.

There, they say, there is known terrorist activity in known locations.

In Indonesia, they point out the issue is more a question of law enforcement.

But they argue that increased defence contacts would encourage military reform in Indonesia, and thus in general help stabilise and strengthen the government there.