National

Australia Gives National Police A$20 Million to Eradicate Terrorism
Wednesday, 08 December, 2004 | 23:23 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Australian government has doubled the funds used to help National Police in eradicating terrorism from A$10 million to A$20 million.

These funds will be provided during the next five years.

According to Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer, these funds are to show the support of the Australian government towards Indonesian new government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism.

Downer went on to say that the funds were also to show the Australian government’s appreciation over the arrest of suspects allegedly involved in the bombing in front of the Australian Embassy office in Jakarta last September.

He also said he was convinced that the National Police would arrest other terrorist suspects, including Dr. Azahari and Noor Din Moh. Top, who have been named as masterminds of various bombing terrorist avts in Indonesia.

“I think the National Police will work the best they can in searching and pursuing the terrorist suspects. We will also help the Indonesian authorities with what they need. I think we are all quite optimistic in arresting these terrorists,” Downer said following a meeting with National Police chief Gen. Da’i Bachtiar at the National Police headquarters on Tuesday (07/12).

Downer denied that he had particularly discussed the pursuing of other terrorist suspects with Bachtiar.

“Not in particular. We are still concentrating on the threats of terrorist attacks, recruitment and recovery from the impact of bombings,” he said.

In a press release, it was said that Australia gave A$36.8 million to the Jakarta Law Enforcement Cooperation Center (JLECC), and A$4.7 million to the Trans-National Crime Center (TNCC) sometime ago.

Australia will also help Indonesia to improve its security and immigration supervisory systems at airports.

National Police chief Gen. Da’i Bachtiar said that the funds shall be used to continue the police programs to develop police personnel capabilities as well as police human resources and facilities.

The aid from Australia has been doubled to extend the number of terrorism course members not only at the Asia Pacific level but also at the international level.

According to Bachtiar, the participants of the course come from 17 countries and include 22 police officers.

The number of the course participants will likely be increased and the material of the courses shall be improved as well. (Martha Warta-Tempo News Room)