Diplomacy persists<\/p>\n
The article written by Graham Gerard Ong titled Diplomacy can
\ncalm troubled sea (March 9) contains misleading arguments that
\nrequire clarification. The deployment of an Indonesian naval
\nfleet to Ambalat should not be considered as flexing its muscles
\naimed at resorting to the use of force in resolving conflicting
\nclaims with Malaysia.<\/p>\n
It is a matter of fact that both parties have agreed to
\nresolve the issue through negotiations scheduled to take place in
\nMay upon Indonesia's initiative. Hence, diplomacy remains to be
\nthe preferred option in resolving differences with any country.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has, since 1980, lodged a series of protests against
\nMalaysia's unilateral claim of areas within its maritime borders.
\nIn this regard, Indonesia adheres to its principled position that
\na maritime border has an international dimension in itself and
\nthus must not be determined single-handedly.<\/p>\n
Subsequently, Malaysia's jurisdiction over Sipadan and Ligitan
\nislands does not validate its decision to draw new maritime
\nborders since Malaysia is neither an archipelagic state nor has
\nthe justifiable means to exercise any rights contained therein.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's response to Malaysia's breach of the former's
\nterritorial sovereignty was done in a proper diplomatic manner.
\nTherefore, unlike Ong's analysis, the dispatch of three
\nIndonesian battleships to Ambalat is simply a naval patrol that
\nmay be rightfully exercised by any sovereign state over its
\nsovereign territorial waters.<\/p>\n
TRIYOGO JATMIKO
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/diplomacy-persists-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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