Exoneration Sparks Debate

(CSM) – Two competing perspectives have long dominated Washington when talk turns to military aid for Indonesia . On one side there are those in Congress who call the country’s military brutal abusers of human rights. They want US aid to remain suspended until Indonesia ‘s military is reformed. On the other side is the Pentagon and some White House officials who say the US , once Indonesia ‘s largest source of military aid, should resume funding because of the country’s importance to the war on terrorism. That debate has been reignited since the last four Indonesian officials accused of atrocities in East Timor five years ago were exonerated earlier this month.