September 24, 2002
Indonesians speak out against US "black propaganda"
I should say thanks to Mr. Joe who had compiled this such interesting materials on what a recently news about Indonesia on terrorism affair, here is the complete text from his web:Indonesians speak out against US "black propaganda"
All sorts of people are coming out against the US claims that Omar al-Faruq was an al Qaeda operative during his time in Indonesia. You've got to read the Time magazine article on al-Faruq to get the details on the US claims.
There is one thing that bothers me most as an American in Indonesia. I don't understand why so many Indonesians take the US claims of terrorist activity in Indonesia and receive that as a blanket condemnation of Muslims in Indonesia and/or of Indonesia as a whole. Isn't it possible that there are some bad apples that need to be dealt with?
Here are several interesting articles that will give you insight into the kinds of things that get said in the media here about the US.
Omar Al-Faruq Recruited by The CIA - Former head of Intelligence A.C. Manulang has said that Omar Al-Faruq, a terrorist suspect who was arrested in Bogor, West Java, on June 5, 2002 and handed over to the US three days later, is a CIA-recruited agent. This one is a MUST read. "Al Faruq was assigned [by the CIA] to infiltrate Islamic radical groups and recruit local agents within these groups....This kind of operation is aimed at starting conflicts in Indonesia and creating the image that Indonesia is a land of terrorists."
Government Acknowledges Faruq’s Arrest - "Therefore, the arrest was fully carried out by Indonesia. The government knows for sure about this,” Yudhoyono said in Bandung, West Java, on Friday (20/9)." There was much confusion in the press (as a result of statements by various political officials) as to whether any government body was involved in the arrest of al-Faruq.
National Police to Clarify Al-Farouq Case - This is regarding the arrest of a German citizen of Arab descent in connection to al-Faruq.
Army Chief: Don’t Compare Radical Islam Groups with Al Qaeda - "Ryacudu said that he has doubts regarding the existence of an Al Qaeda network in Indonesia"
Rumors Disseminated by CIA Are Like Rumors Disseminated Prior to the anti-communist purges of 1965 - President Megawati's sister, Rachmawati, (the head of new political party) is quoted as saying “The days before September 30, 1965, were similar to recent conditions as regards CIA methods." Sukarno, Megawati and Rachmawati's father who was the first president of Indonesia, was thrown out of office during the events of that year. He had stood strong against US intervention in SE Asia and wasn't too fond of the CIA.
Rachmawati according to the article went on to say, “I think that the US wants to corner Islamic groups and our Moslem brothers by labeling them terrorists,” According to her, Megawati’s administration tends to agree with the super power country, as shown by President Megawati’s visit to Washington D.C. after the September 11 tragedy last year. In addition, the US Minister of Defense Collin Powel has visited Indonesia. “This already indicates that Indonesia is under US control,” said Rachmawati.
--see the original version
Posted at September 24, 2002 05:40 AM | Indonesia
