Indonesia-Australia security agreement<\/p>\n
Australia's Prime Minister, Paul Keating, announced on
\nThursday that at the beginning of this week an Australian-
\nIndonesian security agreement will be signed in Jakarta in the
\npresence of government leaders, a number of cabinet ministers and
\nthe armed forces' chief commanders from both sides.<\/p>\n
The signing of the treaty is a refreshing thought because
\nduring the past year relations between Indonesia and Australia
\nhave been frequently upset by information spread by parties who
\nwould not like to see relations bettered.<\/p>\n
In the longer term this stepping up of defense cooperation
\nefforts may be seen as an attempt to prevent open conflicts
\nbetween the two countries.<\/p>\n
The security agreement, as was clarified by Prime Minister
\nKeating and Minister\/State Secretary Moerdiono in Bangkok, cannot
\nbe regarded as a military or a defense pact. From the very
\nbeginning, true to the principles of non-alignment, Indonesia has
\nrefused to get involved in defense pacts.<\/p>\n
Given that principle, other countries in the Southeast Asia
\nand Pacific regions do not have to be afraid of any direct or
\nindirect consequences arising from this security agreement. On
\nthe contrary, it should be viewed as a contribution of both
\nAustralia and Indonesia to the preservation of security and peace
\nin those regions.<\/p>\n
We hope this agreement will also be able to eliminate the
\nsuspicion which exists in certain sections of Australian society
\nthat Indonesia harbors expansionist ambitions. The stipulations
\ncontained in the agreement make it clear that both parties will
\nmaintain an open attitude with regard to each other's security
\nconcerns.<\/p>\n
Seen from this point of view the agreement could be regarded
\nas part of the confidence building efforts on both sides. Let us
\ntherefore view the agreement as a measure designed to bolster the
\nintent on both parts to strengthen friendly relations.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Indonesia<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-australia-security-agreement-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }