Now we`re concentrating on who really is that manJakarta (ANTARA News) - Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said that the government is prioritizing to ensure the identity of Bali terror mastermind Umar Patek who is in the custody of the Pakistani authorities before discussing his extradition to Indonesia.
Responding to questions of newsmen at the State Palace, here, on Tuesday, Minister Natalegawa added that Indonesia and Pakistan do not have an extradition agreement but sending back of criminals is still possible under the Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) between the two countries.
"However, the first thing is making sure that the identity of the man has been established. With Pakistan, Indonesia doesn`t have an extradition agreement, but this fact would not hamper our cooperation under the MLA umbrella so that the return of an Indonesian who has committed a crime is possible," he said.
Natalegawa added that some other countries have also their own interests with Umar Patek including the Philippines and the United States. Even he has also established contact on the matter with the U.S. Secretary of State though it was not specifically about the arrest of Umar Patek by the Pakistani authorities.
"I`ve talked in general terms with the U.S. Secretary of State but the issue was not discussed in detail as she only said that she knew of the arrest of Umar Patek but the U.S. will still support these efforts," Minister Natalegawa said.
Natalegawa went on to say that he will be ready to seek measures on taking back Umar Patek to Indonesia if it was indeed required but for the time being it is done by concentrating on ensuring the identity of the man first.
"Now we`re concentrating on who really is that man," said Natalegawa.
Pakistani authorities have reportedly arrested Umar Patek, the alleged mastermind of the 2002 Bali bombings who has been sought by the Indonesian police in the past nine years.
The man identified by the Pakistani authorities as Umar Patek is now undergoing special treatment for the injuries he had sustained when resisting arrest by the Pakistani security authorities.
A team dispatched by the Indonesian Intelligence Agency (BIN) has arrived in Pakistan a week ago tasked with ascertaining the identity of the man claimed to be Umar Patek for whom the US government has promised a liberal reward of one million US dollars.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
