Asia Defense Pact the last resort, says Mahfud
Asia Defense Pact the last resort, says Mahfud
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D. said on Tuesday
that the planned establishment of an Asia Defense Pact should be
understood as a last resort if foreign countries continuously put
political pressure and economic embargoes on Indonesia.
"The planned establishment of such a defense pact is in
anticipation of foreign pressure and embargoes.
"If Indonesia is really cornered by pressure and economic
embargoes, we'll then propose the establishment of the defense
pact with other countries," Mahfud told reporters at the House of
Representatives (DPR) compound after attending the deliberation
of the government-initiated draft law on lawyers, in his capacity
as ad-interim Minister of Justice and Human Rights.
The idea of establishing the defense pact was initially voiced
by Mahfud on Sunday.
The minister, however, dismissed speculation that he had
sought popularity by his recent statement.
"I have never made strange or controversial statements nor
tried to raise confusion among the public.
"I just work to serve the nation and the people, and not for
my personal interests," he said, while blaming the press for
blowing up the issue.
He admitted to having sent the message amid deep concern over
the suspension of the United States' military aid, including
spare parts, to Indonesia following the violent unrest in the
East Timor capital of Dili in September last year.
He asked the public to understand the context of his
statement.
"I said it was a good idea for Indonesia, Japan, China and
India, for instance, to establish a new defense alliance as a
last resort if the United States and its allies continue to put
pressure on Indonesia," he said.
He regretted the United States' military sanctions against
Indonesia, saying that the superpower should not include
political clauses in its military assistance.
"We'll be glad to have good military ties with other
countries, but they should not attach political agenda to their
military assistance," he said.
Mahfud noted that a number of warplanes and warships had been
grounded, while an F-5 Tiger jetfighter and several bombers'
engines have been "kept" in several countries following the
suspension of US military assistance.
He revealed the possibility of Indonesia forging bilateral
military cooperation with other countries to get spare parts for
its warplanes and warships.
Asked to comment on the U.S. Embassy's denial regarding his
spy charges against American "infiltrator" Aaron Ward Maness who
was deported last week, he said the government through the
military headquarters was seeking legal evidence on his
activities during his recent visit to Irian Jaya.
"The Cendrawasih Military Command overseeing Irian Jaya is
collecting data on his (Maness) activities in the province. The
government will unveil its stance after the investigation is
completed," he said after receiving Maj. Gen. Albert Inkiriwang,
the command chief, at his office on Tuesday.
Mahfud defended his spy charges against Maness as the latter
had collected pictures of Irianese people killed in the recent
Wamena riot and sent them to his home country while migrants to
Irian Jaya who were not killed in the incident were not exposed.
(rms)