TNI is not preparing yet for mission in Afghanistan<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Rear Marshall Graito
\nUsodo said on Monday that the TNI had yet to prepare its troops
\nto join an international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
\"We have yet to receive an official request from the UN to
\njoin an international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan.
\nTherefore, we have not made any preparations,\" Graito told The
\nJakarta Post by telephone.<\/p>\n
Graito added that the dispatch of TNI troops to join an
\ninternational peacekeeping force would undergo several stages
\nhere, such as the selection of troops, the determination of its
\nterms of assignment, as well as the kind of assignment.<\/p>\n
\"The UN has yet to request us, so we have no idea what kind of
\nassistance they need. Will they need medical, security, or only
\nobserver assistance?\" Graito asked.<\/p>\n
Graito brushed aside a report that said that the TNI had
\nprepared some 1,000 personnel to join the UN's peacekeeping
\nforce.<\/p>\n
The UN said that it was preparing a blueprint for a post-
\nTaliban government in Afghanistan as several Western and Muslim
\ncountries suggested that the UN launch a peacekeeping operation
\nthere.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, along with other Muslim countries such as Malaysia,
\nand Egypt, have offered to contribute troops to a possible UN
\nmultinational force in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Sunday that Indonesia, as the
\ncountry with the largest Muslim population, should join an
\ninternational peacekeeping force in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
He, however, underlined that \"it should not harm the country's
\nnational interests.\"<\/p>\n
Susilo's words were based on the fact that several hardline
\nMuslim groups here condemned the military attacks launched by the
\nU.S. on Afghanistan on Oct. 7.<\/p>\n
Graito, however, confirmed that the TNI would support the
\ngovernment's commitment to join the UN peacekeeping force.<\/p>\n
Contacted separately, chairman of the Islam Youth Movement
\n(GPI) Iqbal Siregar said that the government's decision to join
\nthe UN peacekeeping force would only hurt Muslim people here.<\/p>\n
He also underlined that the TNI should focus on handling
\nseveral troubled provinces, such as Papua and Aceh, and \"face the
\nthreat of disintegration\".<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-is-not-preparing-yet-for-mission-in-afghanistan-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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