ABRI prepared to upgrade presence in Bosnia
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) is now prepared to upgrade its participation in the UN peacekeeping mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina to include a mechanized division.
ABRI Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung who is currently in Zagreb to observe the Indonesian military contingent under the banner of Garuda Indonesia XIV, revealed the plans to Antara news agency in the Croatian capital.
"No problem. If the UN needs it, we can send the mechanized division," Feisal responded in response to a question.
Indonesia earlier declined to send fully armed mechanized divisions to the former Yugoslavia republic despite UN requests and pressure from local Moslem organizations.
The government and ABRI said that the wintry conditions would make it difficult for Indonesian troopers, who are not accustomed to European territory, while also taking a toll on their equipment. Officials also pointed out that ABRI's resources were stretched because of its participation in UN peace missions in Cambodia and Somalia.
Instead, Indonesia has been sending military officers to act as observers for the UN Protection Force (UNPROFOR). More recently, it sent a battalion of over 200 Army medics and a smaller team of civil police officers.
The first delegation of military observers, comprising 24 officers, returned home this week after spending nearly one year in Bosnia. The officers have recounted near escapes. Several were even kidnapped by Bosnian Serbs and held for one week before being released. There have been no fatalities among the Indonesian contingent.
Feisal is accompanied during his visit to Croatia by Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Tanto Kuswanto, Assistant to the chief of general planning Maj. Gen. Bantu Harjito, Assistant to the chief of general affairs Maj. Gen. Sofyan Efendi and ABRI chief spokesman Brig. Gen. Syarwan Hamid.
Purpose
Feisal said that the most important considerations in sending a mechanized division are the purpose of such a mission and how it will be organized.
"We should first answer questions as to what its mission is, how many troops are needed, and how the operation will be funded," Feisal was quoted as saying. "If the UN needs troopers with armored vehicles, we can send them," he added.
Asked how long the medical detachment would be stationed in Bosnia, Feisal said it all depended on the UN. "It could be either six or nine months. If necessary, we could send another battalion afterwards."
Indonesia has participated in a number of UN peacekeeping missions, all under the Garuda Indonesia banner. This is the first time, however, that ABRI has taken part in a mission in Europe.
Feisal could not emphasize enough the need to maintain discipline and the good name and reputation of Indonesian military forces to the troopers he met in Zagreb, Antara reported.
Feisal also met with UNPROFOR Chief Yasushi Akashi, who expressed her gratitude for the participation of the Indonesian military in the UN mission. (rms)