Explosives need more control

Explosives need more control

JAKARTA: The House of Representatives' Commission I for
defense and security affairs called for the establishment of an
independent body to control the use of explosives.

The new body, which would supervise the production,
distribution, trade and documentation to do with explosive
materials throughout the country, would be expected to curb the
improper use of the potentially fatal materials.

The House recommended the new body on Monday following a
hearing with the board of directors of PT Dahana, the state
explosives supplier.

There have been several bombings in the country dating back to
2000, in large part, because of an absence of strict regulations
to control illegal trade and use of explosives, PT Dahana
President Director Rusbandi said.

There are nine companies authorized to produce, distribute and
trade explosives. They are state-owned firms PT Dahana, PT
Pindad, PT Pupuk Kaltim, as well as private companies PT Multi
Nitroline Kimia, PT Tridaya Esta, PT Armindo Prima, PT Trifita
Perkasa, PT Inti Cellulosa Utama Indonesia and PT Asa Karya.

Of the nine companies, only two of them, PT Dahana and PT
Pindad, have licenses to supply explosives for military purposes.
The other companies use explosives for commercial purposes,
mostly in the mining industry. -- JP

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RI, PNG to discuss borders
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RI, PNG to discuss trade, rebels

JAKARTA: Foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda will visit Port
Moresby from June 4 to June 7 for talks on border issues and
plans to reinstate direct flights and land transportation
connecting the neighboring countries.

The foreign ministry said in its release, during the Joint
Commission Meeting that on June 6, Hassan would hold talks with
Papua New Guinea prime minister Michael Somare, foreign minister
Rabie Namaliu, defense minister Yarka Kappa, Parliament speaker
Bill Skate and Governor General Silas Atopare.

The two countries are expected to sign a memorandum of
understanding on the Cross Border Scheme on Compulsory Motor
Vehicle Insurance.

Papua New Guinea territory has also allegedly become a hide-
out for separatist rebels and who have been fighting for an
independent state in Indonesia's easternmost province Papua.

The two countries opened diplomatic ties as soon as PNG
claimed its independence in 1975.

Then vice president Megawati Soekarnoputri visited Port
Moresby in September 2000 to improve bilateral ties between the
two countries.

Trade volume reached US$40.9 million in 2001 and $60.4 million
in 2002 (as of August).

Indonesian exports to PNG mostly include cacao, rubber,
vehicles, electric equipment and food products, while PNG exports
oil and gas to Indonesia. -- JP