Bill on outer space treaty endorsed

JAKARTA: The House of Representatives (DPR) endorsed on Monday a new bill on the 1967 UN Outer Space Treaty during a plenary session led by one of its deputy chairmen, Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno.

The agreement was reached after all of the 10 House factions expressed no objection to the substance of the bill, which will now be submitted to President Megawati Soekarnoputri for enactment into law.

The treaty regulates activities of countries conducting exploration of and using outer space, including the moon and the planets.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda, who attended the session with State Minister for Research and Technology Hatta Rajasa, said the treaty served as a juridical benchmark for countries in conducting the exploration of outer space.

Advances in technology had enabled a number of countries to have an opportunity of claiming a part of outer space, he said.

"The outer space treaty sets aside outer space, including the moon and the planets, for human activities. As a consequence, the use of outer space must be directed toward the fulfillment of common interests and the achievement of peaceful goals," he said. -- JP