US hits at Indonesian acquittals

The United States has sharply criticised the Indonesian acquittal of four security officials convicted over 1999 atrocities in East Timor.

Jakarta announced last week that the four - including Major General Adam Damiri, the most senior military officer to face trial for the bloodshed during East Timor's United Nations-backed independence vote - were cleared by an appeal court on July 29. A 10-year jail term imposed on a pro-Jakarta militiaman who oversaw the murder and torture of independence supporters was also slashed. No reasons were given for the decisions.

"We are dismayed by this decision, and we are profoundly disappointed with the performance and record of the Indonesian ad hoc tribunal," said State Department spokesman Adam Ereli.