Indonesian House calls for inquiry into US lab

China View (Xinhuanet) ^ | 2008-04-29 | Editor: Song Shutao

[Smokin' Joe]

JAKARTA, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Members of the Indonesian House of Representatives have moved to establish a special task force to investigate U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2 (Namru-2), local press said Tuesday.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the second largest faction in the House, proposed the fact-finding team because of allegations the U.S. laboratory is engaging in espionage and the lack of apparent benefits to Indonesia from their research.

"We propose the House form a task force to investigate the lab to reassure the public that it isn't spying on us and that it really benefits the country," senior PDI-P lawmaker Sidarto Danusubroto was quoted by major newspaper The Jakarta Post as saying.

Sidarto, a member of the House's Commission one on security, defense and foreign affairs, said the team would urge the laboratory to be transparent in its operations.

Lawmaker Hakim Sorimuda Pohan of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party supported the idea, saying Indonesian scientists could take over the work of the laboratory's researchers.

"We will summon the health minister to discuss the issue further. I see no need for the lab to continue operating here," he said.

[Smokin' Joe]

Ping...

[arderkrag]

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the second largest faction in the House, proposed the fact-finding team because of allegations the U.S. laboratory is engaging in espionage and the lack of apparent benefits to Indonesia from their research.

Struggle is right...I'm struggling to believe that this isn't a story from the Onion.

[G.Mason]

" ... The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the second largest faction in the House, proposed the fact-finding team because of allegations the U.S. laboratory is engaging in espionage and the lack of apparent benefits to Indonesia from their research ..."

Hmmmm ... In need of dancing around the May Pole money are they?

I can't blame them. They better get as much as they can before the U.S.A. falls down and goes boom.

[kingu]

From the Navy website: Current staffing is 21 Americans and 120 Indonesians.

So a US hybrid military/civilian facility with a 6:1 locals to American ratio needs to be more transparent in it's day to day operations? Don't quite get where they're coming from on that. Spying? Sure, they're spying, in mostly the same way that any good intelligence agency subscribes to the newspapers published, or listens to radio broadcasts or watches TV.

I'm sure that India or another nation in the region would enjoy a transference of the facility if that's what they desire. Personally, considering the high populations, the constant international traffic, and the ties the lab has not just to the CDC but the WHO as well, they'd be fools to let the facility shutter itself, and the US fools to let them play games with it.

Foggy Bottom, however, will of course call upon the Navy to be open and receptive to even more Indonesian influence as let us always appease everyone.

[EBH]

Something here just doesn’t make sense.

There are only 19 US Citizens working at the lab in the first place. All the others are Indonesians?

[EBH]

Lastly, the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated NAMRU-2 the WHO Collaborating Center for Emerging Diseases for Southeast Asia.
http://www.geis.fhp.osd.mil/GEIS/Training/namru-2asp.asp

[Humble Servant]

I’m starting a betting pool on how long it takes Jeremiah Wright to propound that we’re there to Collaborate on Spreading Diseases through Southeast Asia.

We really need to triple the number of spies we do have over there, anyway. It’s a cesspool.

[Cenobite]

Actually, the labs is set on the some very nice grounds within a health department building owned, operated and staffed by Indonesian health officials, MD’s and scientists. Yes, we floated one hell of alot of money to that particular NAMRU. However, if you look at the mortality of malaria just in this century alone, you can see why it is a good investment for all nations, not just America and Indonesia. But, if Muslims wish to sit idly by as their loved ones die of disease, then let them. After all, if you hew to the liberal line, all cultures are equal, even if they opt for self-inflicted genocide.

[piasa]

“Mrs Supari, who has famously refused to share bird flu samples with international scientists, “ (because she says she doesn’t want lucrative vaccines made.)

Translation...she wants a bribe or cut of the deal.