Bill on outer space treaty endorsed

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