Lawmakers set conditions for future of U.S. laboratory facilities

Abdul Khalik ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 06/19/2008 9:59 AM  |  Headlines

Lawmakers who visited the U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 2 (Namru-2) in Jakarta on Wednesday are insisting the controversial laboratory meet certain conditions if it is to continue operating in Indonesia.

A group of 20 lawmakers, led by Theo Sambuaga, chairman of the House of Representatives' Commission I for defense, security and foreign affairs, toured the laboratory facilities and met senior U.S. researchers and local scientists.

Some of the lawmakers told U.S. officials, including U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume and laboratory director Trevor John, they would not support the continued operation of the research center unless it gave "concrete benefits" to the Indonesian people.

"For instance, I told the U.S. officials that Indonesian people must have access to vaccines made from viruses sent from Indonesia at cheap prices," Yusron Izha Mahendra of the Crescent Star Party told The Jakarta Post after the visit.

He said the U.S. commitment to share the vaccines would dampen criticism of the laboratory, which has been accused of being of no benefit to Indonesia.

Djoko Susilo of the National Mandate Party said providing access to cheap vaccines was a key requirement for the laboratory to continue operations.

"The laboratory facilities are excellent. And although some Indonesian scientists have gained valuable research experience, we need more concrete benefits," he said.

Indonesia and the United States are now negotiating a new memorandum of understanding to extend the operation of Namru-2 after the previous agreement expired in 2005.

Other contentious issues relating to the laboratory include transparency and diplomatic immunity for U.S. researchers.

Indonesia has offered to grant diplomatic immunity to only two American officials at Namru-2 and has demanded the laboratory be more transparent in its operations.

The United States through its embassy here has insisted all 19 of its citizens employed at the laboratory be given diplomatic immunity. The United States also denied the laboratory's operations were not transparent.

Yusron said Indonesian Military scientists and physicians should be involved in the laboratory research because Namru was run by the U.S. military.

"Effective involvement by the military can counter speculation the U.S. is using the laboratory as an intelligence base," he said.

Al Muzzammil Yusuf of the Prosperous Justice Party said Commission I needed to provide clarification on rumors a virus from the laboratory could be used to produce biological weapons once it was sent to the United States.

Theo, who represents the Golkar Party, said the findings from the visit would be used to inform the commission during a House hearing on June 25 to discuss issues related to the controversial laboratory.

The meeting is expected to be attended by several ministers, including Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono, Health Minister Siti Fadilah Supari and State Minister for Research and Technology Kusmayanto Kadiman.

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