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| Southeast Asia |
| Indonesia-Malaysia Agree: Foreign Help, But No Foreign Troops for Straits |
| 2005-06-12 |
| JAKARTA, June 11 (Bernama) -- Indonesia shares the Malaysian view that the task of maintaining security in the Melaka Straits does not require the involvement of troops from any major power but it was the joint responsibility of the three littoral states namely Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. At the same time, however, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said that if there were other countries that wished to contribute in boosting patrolling capacity in the busiest sea lane in the world, such assistance was most welcome. "However, President Susilo stressed that whatever equipment and system contributed by the foreign powers must be handled by operators from the three littoral states," Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) Chief Laksamana Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor told Bernama, here Saturday. This was stated by Susilo yesterday at the approximately 45-minute meeting with Mohd Anwar who was making his first visit to Indonesia since being appointed to the post last month. Also present at the meeting were Indonesian Armed Forces Chief Jen Endriartono Sutarto and ATM's Director-General of Defence Intelligence Lt Jen Datuk Wan Abu Bakar Omar. Mohd Anwar said Susilo also wanted the armed forces chiefs of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to hold a meeting to discuss in more detail how to increase the effectiveness of the coordinated joint operations "Malsindo", carried out by the three littoral states. He said if the three armed forces chiefs could not meet at least once in six months, then the working groups of the three armed forces should meet. In addition, he said Susilo was of the opinion that patrolling efforts by the three countries in the Melaka Straits must be able to convince the international community especially the merchant ships plying the route. Mohd Anwar said Susilo also wanted the sharing of information especially early intelligence reports on ships carrying dangerous equipment or materials passing through the Melaka Straits to be boosted. "This is to enable the three countries to launch integrated operations to tackle the problem," he said. Replying to questions why Japan and the United States were very keen to participate in security patrols in the Melaka Straits, Mohd Anwar said this was because many merchant ships from both countries were using the straits. "The incident where one Japanese ship was attacked by pirates in the Melaka Straits with its crew being held hostage for ransom recently prompted that country to look for the best approach. They have the perception that the three littoral states do not have the capacity yet and they wish to help," he said. However, he said, whatever assistance to be given must get the agreement of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. |
| Posted by:Pappy |
| #1 Our eminently trustworthy militaries... |
| Posted by: gromgoru 2005-06-12 09:36 |