PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS, PEACE AND DEMOCRACY IN INDONESIA

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UK armoured vehicles used against innocent civilians in Spice Islands
CAAT and TAPOL call for immediate reimposition of ban on arms sales

(This press release was issued jointly by TAPOL and Campaign Against Arms Trade)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

18 July 2000

Campaign Against Arms Trade and TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign are demanding an immediate reimposition of the arms embargo on Indonesia. Reports in today's Independent state that British-made armoured vehicles have been used by Indonesian armed forces in support of Muslim militants against the Christian population[1]. This is further evidence of the involvement of the armed forces in fuelling the devastating communal conflict in the Malukan islands.

A letter from John Battle, Foreign Office Minister, to TAPOL in March this year stated: 'Indonesia is on notice that if we see a repetition of the type of state violence perpetuated in East Timor, we will move swiftly to reimpose restrictive measures.' The letter goes on to say that 'Britain and the rest of the international community need to be underpinning, not undermining, Indonesia's emerging democracy at this important time.'[2]

Rachel Harford of CAAT said: 'Once again UK military equipment is being used for repressing civilians. We have been here before[3] - is the UK Government going to once again wait until thousands more die, as it did in East Timor, before it finally imposes an arms embargo?'

She continued: 'The Foreign Office is trying to dismiss the use of the Saladins as very old equipment - if they are still in use they must be receiving spares for upgrading. According to the government's 1998 Annual Report on Strategic Arms Exports, licences have been signed for spares to Indonesia[4]. Unfortunately the annual report does not give us sufficient information to know what the spares are for - the Government urgently needs to tackle the lack of transparency with regard to arms sales.'

A delegation from Indonesia will be attending Farnborough International, the military air show (July 24th - 30th).

ENDS

1 Independent, 18.07.00.

2 31.03.00.

3 30.12.99; UK Saladin armoured vehicles were used in acts of arson in Ambon that resulted in renewed clashes between Muslims and Christians.

4 The licences covers components for a range of vehicles including armoured personnel carriers.

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