Defence Minister and TNI retirees discuss US aircraft overflight permissions
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and TNI retirees discussed a Letter of Intent (LOI) or statement of intent regarding the overflight permission requested by the United States.
The discussion took place when Sjafrie gathered retirees, who are mostly former TNI Commanders and chiefs of staff, at the Ministry of Defence office in Central Jakarta on Friday.
Head of the Defence Information Bureau (Karo Infohan) of the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Defence RI, Brigadier General TNI Rico Ricardo Sirait, explained that in the meeting, the retirees provided analyses and recommendations regarding the LOI submitted by the United States.
These varied analyses were given based on considerations of national defence interests.
“The retirees certainly have considerations and very good analyses, so they may also be discussed with relevant ministries and agencies, as well as the DPR, regarding that Letter of Intent,” said Rico during a press conference at the Ministry of Defence office.
However, Rico did not explain in detail what analyses the retirees provided to Sjafrie and the TNI officials.
Rico assured that all suggestions, criticisms, and analyses given by the retirees will become one of the government’s considerations in determining strategic steps forward.
“In the future, it will become part of evaluations, improvements, or inputs in the development of national defence policies,” explained Rico.
Previously, Rico responded to the circulating information in the agreement letter between Indonesia and the United States stating that the US has full freedom to cross Indonesian airspace.
According to Rico, every scheme of defence cooperation plans to be built with other countries is ensured to have been carefully considered and must benefit Indonesia.
Such cooperation schemes must place national interests as the top priority and align with applicable national and international law.
If the cooperation scheme is deemed not beneficial to Indonesia, the government has the right to reject it and maintain full control over the state’s sovereign territory.
“Every possible arrangement still guarantees Indonesia’s full authority to approve or reject any activity in national airspace,” said Rico.
Regarding the circulating agreement letter information in society, Rico emphasised that the letter is not yet final as it is still under discussion.
“That document is not a final agreement, does not have binding legal force, and cannot yet be used as the basis for official Government of the Republic of Indonesia policies,” explained Rico.
Therefore, Rico hopes that the public will not be easily provoked by the circulating information in society.
The agreement letter contains several points of agreement between Indonesia and the United States.
One of the points is that the Indonesian Government opens permission for flights across airspace comprehensively for United States aircraft for emergency operations, crisis management, and agreed joint training activities.