Australia clarifies<\/p>\n
Your article RI concerned over Aussie rocket project (Sept.
\n25, page 5) requires some clarification.<\/p>\n
Asia Pacific Space Centre (APSC), the company that will build
\nand operate the Christmas Island space launch facility, is a
\nprivate Australian company. The spaceport is not a defense
\nfacility in any sense. There is no Russian government interest in
\nthe company and, apart from making a contribution to general
\ninfrastructure costs on the island, the Australian government
\nalso is not involved. This is a commercial operation that will
\nlaunch commercial satellites.<\/p>\n
The safety regulations governing the operations of the
\nfacility are the toughest in the world. The Australian government
\nand APSC have kept Indonesian authorities closely informed on all
\naspects of the project, including the safety regime.<\/p>\n
The Soyuz rocket -- upon which the APSC Aurora rocket is based
\n-- has a 100 percent success rate for launches over the past five
\nyears and a 98.7 percent success rate over the past ten years.<\/p>\n
This is an important high-tech project that has the potential
\nto bring significant commercial benefit to Australia, Indonesia
\nand our region.<\/p>\n
The article also raises concerns about Australian NGOs
\nsupporting the separatist movement in Papua.<\/p>\n
The Australian government's support for Indonesia's
\nterritorial integrity is unambiguous. No NGO is funded by the
\nAustralian government to conduct activities contrary to
\nIndonesia's sovereignty and any suggestion to the contrary is
\nbaseless.<\/p>\n
All NGO's in receipt of Australian government funding must
\nguarantee that their staff and volunteers comply with a strict
\ncode of conduct precluding them from engaging in political
\nactivities.<\/p>\n
Australia through its aid program works very closely with the
\nIndonesian government for the benefit of the people of Indonesia.
\nThere are no NGO's funded by Australia working in Indonesia
\nwithout the express permission and support of the Indonesian
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
Public Affairs Section, Australian Embassy, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/australia-clarifies-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }