House members oppose exercises with Australia<\/p>\n
Members of the House of Representatives Commission I on defense
\nPermadi and Djoko Susilo examine various
\ntypes of weaponry belonging to the Army Special Forces (Kopassus)
\nat the unit's headquarters near the Central Java town of
\nSurakarta.<\/p>\n
The lawmakers visited Kopassus on Wednesday to inquire about
\nthe possibility of the unit taking part in a joint exercise with
\nAustralia's elite Special Air Service (SAS) unit next year.<\/p>\n
The lawmakers called on Kopassus to \"think twice\" before
\nagreeing to Australia's offer, which is aimed at helping the
\ncountry fight terrorism and piracy.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle lawmaker Sabam Sirait
\nsaid the government should be cautious about the invitation,
\nsaying Australia might use the opportunity to intervene in
\nIndonesia's domestic affairs.<\/p>\n
\"We need to be cautious as we are aware that Australia really
\nneeds collaboration with us so they can counter their greatest
\nfear, which is terrorism,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Djoko of the National Mandate Party expressed similar
\nconcerns, saying Indonesia should instead give priority to
\nmilitary cooperation with the United States through its
\nInternational Military Education and Training (IMET) program.<\/p>\n
\"That program (IMET) is more essential for us because we can
\nlearn much from it,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Rights watch groups have also criticized the Australian offer,
\nsaying that such an opportunity should be given to the police who
\nare in charge of security.<\/p>\n
Australia announced on Sunday it would resume the joint
\ntraining program with the TNI after seven years of lapse and
\ninvited the Kopassus to a two-week antiterror drill next year.
\n(JP\/Blontank Poer)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-members-oppose-exercises-with-australia-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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