Indonesia rejects US spy rumours

[rooboy]

The Indonesian military has moved to quash rumours that US forces delivering aid to tsunami-wracked Sumatra are setting up a permanent military base there, a touchstone issue that officials fear could sour goodwill toward the American relief effort in the world's most populous Muslim country.

The Indonesian military spokesman's comments come one day after officials warned that a radical Islamic group that has set up camp alongside aid groups in hard-hit Aceh province may try to stir up anti-American sentiment, and as regional security officials warn that terrorist groups known to operate in Indonesia will be looking for opportunities to attack Americans.

Aid groups setting up operations at the main airport in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh said they were aware of security concerns in the region and had taken precautions, but that they were also relying on goodwill surrounding the massive relief effort for their safety.

Indonesian military spokesman Major-General Syafrie Syamsuddin held a press conference in Jakarta, the national capital, to deny rumours that US military teams helping in the relief effort were being used as spies and that the US military was trying to set up a long-term base in Aceh.

"They are merely dealing with a humanitarian operation, not a military one," Syamsuddin said. "They should not be accused of various things ... that can make them upset. Every step of their movement in Aceh is by design and well-directed."

http://www.smh.com.au/news/World/Indonesia-rejects-US-spy-rumourss/2005/01/08/1104832339648.html

[NAO]

1. Bush, as always, using a disaster as a pretext for agenda (4 ways)

Like 9/11, whether you believe the U.S. government had some role in causing the events, (which is likely in the case of 9/11, and unlikely in the case of the tsunami, IMHO), there can be little doubt that the administration is taking advantage of the disaster to further it's agenda.

First, the tsunami is taking news time away from Iraq, which has continued to be an escalating disaster since the attack on the mess hall (not that it has not been a disaster since the attack was conceived, but it's been much worse lately). I would not put it past * to have deliberately low balled his first aid offer, just so the UN would criticize him. That way, the UN would be looking at something other than Iraq. Reporting on the UN "stingy" criticism both took news time away from Iraq AND fermented resentment against the UN by right-wing nationalist types.

Second, under the pretext of providing "disaster relief", the military may be able to set up bases, which are very strategic geopolitically. These bases could allege to be "temporary" but gradually become permanent.

Third, under the pretext of providing "disaster relief", US tax dollars may be funneled into the coffers of private companies for "reconstruction" projects. It is an outrage that U.S. relief funds could end up going to private companies as profit, and be paid to stockholders as dividends. It would amount to a wealth transfer.

Finally, under the pretext of providing "disaster relief", the predatory lending agencies such as the World Bank and the IMF could "extend a line of credit" to the affected countries. The subsequent indebtedness could then be used to force them to accept "globalization" and privatization schemes, opening up their natural resources and labor force to plunder and exploitation by multinational companies.

Yes, I'm very cynical. Yes, despite all of these considerations I still believe the U.S. should provide aid. I just hope a good portion of it really helps the people who are in need right now.

[TolstoyAndy]

3. NAO's right

It's not cynicism, though, it's empiricism.
You looked at what goes on in the world and came up with a theory about it.

I have no doubt this is nothing more than a natural disaster,
and the only shady aspect is that
Diego Garcia military base seems to have been warned, iirc, but none of the target countries were.

But your first, second, third, and final points are totally spot-on.
I really don't think we're going to get military bases in Indonesia out of this, but who knows these days?

In particular, your third and fourth points are totally plausible and even seem likely.

[Just Me]

6. These "people" are geopolitical power-mongers.

They make NO decision unless it benefits their global chess game for power.

You are not being cynical. You are simply digesting reality.

[bobthedrummer]

2. But Harvard, Ford and the CIA "built" an elite for Indonesia in the 60's

American University's William Hanna called it "a new form of government...military/private enterprise..."

http://www.cia-on-campus.org/internat/indo.html

[Just Me]

4. In all honesty, I am glad that is his perception.

And, of course, I hope that US military flood into that area is strictly a "humanitarian operation".

BUT, please accept my skepticism,...given the PNAC cabal in control.

I would NOT give them an inch,...nor a scintilla of my trust, EVER!!

[rooboy]

5. I believe the world's biggest natural gas field is off the coast of Aceh.

eom

[leftchick]

7. well there you have it!

that explains everything.