Smith Seeks Justice for Oregonian Killed in Indonesia
Oregon Delegation Asks State Department to Pursue Investigation of Killings
WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) this week sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of State James Kelly that expressed outrage over the handling of the investigation into the ambush that claimed two American lives in Indonesia in August of 2002.
The complete text of Smith's letter is available upon request.
The focus of the investigation is an ambush that occurred in Indonesia's Papua's Province. A group of gunmen emerged from the trees beside the mountain road that leads to the Freeport gold and copper mine and opened fire, killing three teachers. Among those killed were two Americans, Ted Burgon of Sunriver, Oregon and Rick Spier of Colorado. Another 11 were wounded, including seven Americans. One of the injured was a 6-year old girl.
"We are concerned about reports that the Indonesian military was directly involved in the attacks," Smith said. "The lack of clarity over the circumstances of the killings points to the need for an immediate, impartial and conclusive investigation into the incident."
To date, no one has been charged or otherwise held accountable for the murders and some question remains whether Indonesian authorities will cooperate fully with the FBI in the investigation of the attack. Recently, Smith met with family members of the American casualties, and reaffirmed his vow to aggressively pursue justice for these crimes.
"Any suspect should be charged with a recognizable criminal offense and prosecuted under the full extent of the law," said Smith. "It is our collective resolve that the perpetrators of this unprovoked attack must be brought to justice."
Today Smith voted in favor of an amendment introduced by Senator Russell Feingold (D-WI) to the Omnibus Appropriations bill. The failed amendment would have cut off International Military Education and Training (IMET) funding to Indonesia.
