ABRI prepared to upgrade presence in Bosnia

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)