Indonesia denies U.S. pilots use of airspace; carrier leaves

Washington Times ^ | 1/13/05 | Denis D. Gray, AP

[kattracks]

ABOARD THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN — The aircraft carrier leading the U.S. military's tsunami relief effort steamed out of Indonesian waters yesterday after the country declined to let the ship's fighter pilots use its airspace for training missions — part of a broad effort by Indonesia to reassert control over its territory.
    The USS Abraham Lincoln's diversion, which was not expected to affect aid flights, came as the White House asked the Indonesian government to explain why it appears to be demanding that the U.S. military and other foreign troops providing disaster relief leave the country by the end of March.

[snip]

The Indonesian government said foreign troops would be out of the country by March 31. "A three-month period is enough, even sooner the better," Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla said Tuesday.
    U.S. Marines have scaled back plans to send hundreds of troops ashore to build roads and clear rubble. The two sides reached a compromise in which the Americans agreed not to set up a base camp on Indonesia or carry weapons.
    Instead, the Marines — about 2,000 of whom were diverted to tsunami relief from duty in Iraq — will keep a "minimal footprint" in the country, with most returning to ships at night, said Col. Tom Greenwood, commander of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

[snip]

Under Navy rules, pilots of carrier-based warplanes cannot go longer than 14 days without flying, or their skills are considered to have degraded too far and they have to undergo extensive retraining.
    

[Quix]

I strongly agree with you.

We should drop such leaflets.

But we won't be that wise . . .

Someone would consider it unPC or crass.

Sheesh.

[MizSterious]

I couldn't disagree more. WE are there to help THEM, not the other way around. Why should we allow them to make it harder for us to help them? That's ridiculous.

[myrabach]

This is an interesting situation. It seems to me the government of Indonesia would like the money but not the help. So, let's not give them the money without the help. Period.

The government there does not have a good record of caring for the population and, IIRC, they do have a rebel group quite active in the country. Perhaps the govt. is worried, and quite rightly so, that the population will see the light!

Our military has an opportunity, as do other aid workers, to make a difference with the population there! We should stay and do what we can, with the time available, and make a difference within the heart of the people. To h*** with the govt., we are not there for them.

And when we go, so does our money. Not one cent left behind in the hands of the officials. It will never get to the people.

[swampfox98]

We need to give them more of the money stolen from America's beleaguered tax payers. Hey, aren't we called selfish by the UN trash? Good ole uncle sap.

[Quix]

True.

However, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that one doesn't bite the hand that feeds it . . . and that thanks and heartfelt gratitude eagerly expressed and acted out is the minimum fitting response.

Doesn't take anywhere near a rocket scientist to realize that.

Jungle bunnies in the darkest jungle recognize that--I mean--literal chimps--monkeys know that.

[MizSterious]

Actually, there IS a group trying to rise up against the Indonesian government. Unfortunately, that group is allied with AlQaeda. Frying pan...fire...which to choose...

[MrLee]

Ungrateful b*stards!

[Happy2BMe]

[Quix]

Thanks.

[Quix]

MUCH AGREE.

[Quinotto]

Have their Muslim brethren from Middle East help and rebuild Indonesia. Why should we be somewhere we're not wanted? It's amazing to me that the administration thought that the help might actually buy us new friends. Who wants bought friends?

[alicewonders]

It's true, the place is a real mess, it was even before the tsunami. The sad thing is - there is nothing we can do to help the people that really need it. The only thing that can help the people is our prayers, pure & simple.

[Quix]

GREAT ONES.

TOOOOO TRUE.

[Centurion2000]

U.S. should help, using private funds donated through private charities. That way it's true charity, not compulsory.

Any money you donate to private charities is pi$$ed away if it finds its way into government or UN hands.

[LionsDaughter]

Why am I not surprised at all?

[shubi]

I told you so. Anyone that gave a lot of money to tsunami relief has been suckered. We have helped our enemies kill us.

[Walkin Man]

Of course.

The Islamists need more American dollars to fund the persecution and murder of infidels, preferably Americans.

They won't get a penny from me.

[international american]

I'd like to know that myself!!

[Alouette]

"How would you feel if the one and only French nuke carrier was able to boil up enough steam to make it to Florida to offer aid to hurricane victims, and it overstayed it's welcome? And the French had the gall to ask to do flight training in U.S. airspace?"

I just sprayed coffee out my nose!

The French owe me a new keyboard.

[BayouCoyote]

I recall having a debate with some sympathizers about Indonesia being a muslim nation that I could give a rats ass about and now this! Screw a training mission..it should be a bombing mission!