Indonesia does not need Australia's advice: Diplomat<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs rebuked the Australian
\ngovernment on Friday, saying that Indonesia did not need a third
\ncountry's advice on whether the government should ask for help to
\naddress terrorism.<\/p>\n
"Indonesia can actually make up its own mind on how to further
\ncooperation with another country," ministry spokesman Marty
\nNatalegawa, told The Jakarta Post in a telephone interview on
\nFriday.<\/p>\n
Marty underlined that Indonesia was satisfied with its
\ncooperation with both Australia and the United States in the
\nfight against terrorism.<\/p>\n
Agency France Presse reported from Sydney that Australia had
\nurged the United States to take a more active role in providing
\nfinancial support and training in antiterrorism efforts by
\nSoutheast Asian nations, particularly Indonesia.<\/p>\n
In a submission to a parliamentary inquiry into Australia-U.S.
\nsecurity ties, the government strongly supported the U.S.
\ncommitment to the Asia-Pacific, but said it wanted more back-up
\nin the region.<\/p>\n
"The bilateral relationships the U.S. maintains with regional
\nstates, including ourselves are central to regional stability in
\nthe Asia Pacific," said the submission, posted this week on the
\nparliament website.<\/p>\n
But it added that "in terms of the war on terror, Australia
\nremains particularly keen to see more U.S. engagement in
\nSoutheast Asian region."<\/p>\n
"Australia and the U.S. can cooperate in providing support to
\nregional agencies to combat terrorism."<\/p>\n
"The very proximity of Australia to terrorist-threatened
\nnations in Southeast Asia means that a ready first-response
\nneighbor is on hand to help in crisis situations," the submission
\nsaid, citing help by the Australian army and police after the
\nBali bombings which claimed 202 lives in October 2002.<\/p>\n
"As the U.S. and Australia keep an unswerving eye on other
\nareas of concern in Asia ... and on the global threats of
\nterrorism and weapons proliferation that affect the Asia-Pacific
\nregion, we can each draw comfort from knowing the other's
\ncommitment to this region reinforces our own."<\/p>\n
The experiences of Americans and Australians cooperating in
\nAfghanistan and training together in 37 major military exercises
\nover the past two years meant each had a good idea of the other's
\ncapabilities and contributions when setting up coalitions.<\/p>\n
"This confidence level in each other's abilities has also
\nallowed the U.S. to play a supporting or non-military role in
\nsome recent regional conflicts, deferring to the Australians'
\nprofessionalism and keen understanding of the region," it added.<\/p>\n
Defense minister Robert Hill told The Australian newspaper
\nthat Canberra wanted to have Washington more heavily engaged in
\nsupporting counterterrorism efforts in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"The U.S. is a force for stability, and in Indonesia, for
\nexample, we would like to see them be even more active in what
\nthey are doing," Hill said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-does-not-need-australias-advice-diplomat-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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