Foreign countries told to stay out of RI's affairs

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat said yesterday that foreign countries should not interfere in Indonesia's internal affairs.

"International relations should be built on mutual understanding of each country's sovereignty and integrity," Edi said in a written statement at the launch of the White Book on Indonesia's 1997 State Defense and Security Policy.

As quoted by Director General for General Planning and Military Budget Rear Admiral (ret.) Yusuf Effendi, Edi said each country should avoid suspecting other country's domestic and international policies.

Indonesia has strongly opposed other country's interference in its internal affairs and policies.

The government last month canceled a plan to buy nine U.S. F- 16 fighter planes from the United States and withdrew from the American-run International Military Education Training program in response to growing Congressional criticism of Indonesia's human rights record and internal affairs.

Edi emphasized the importance of maintaining regional stability to support national stability.

"Nations' interdependence and interrelations mark current world economic and political stability.

"A country's national stability will, therefore, depend on the support of regional stability to make its development programs successful," he said.

On international disputes, he said a country would only go to war if peaceful arrangements failed to settle a problem.

"War is only a last resort to ending a dispute," he said.

"And it is only to maintain a nation's sovereignty, independence, identity, integrity and unity," he added.

On the defense ministry's budget, Edi said the amount was still below expectations.

"Looking at the immense territory to be overseen, it is reasonable for Indonesia to have more defense spending," he said.

But he said that increasing the Armed Forces' capability should not jeopardize people's prosperity.

"How could we think of improving our defense system, while many of our people were unable to eat regularly and dress properly?" he asked.

"We could understand that our defense expenditure was the lowest among Southeast Asian countries," he said.

Edi said security resulted from people's prosperity.

"The people's prosperity will eventually strengthen the country's security," he said.

Navy Commodore (ret.) Sunardi, expert advisor to the minister of defense, said people and the authorities had to remain wary of the possible presence of terrorism here.

"With only 10 to 20 personnel, they could shake a country's or international political stability," he said.

"Terrorism is not limited by state boundaries, either. Terrorist activities in Jakarta may not be committed by Indonesians," he added.

Yusuf Effendi said the military was considering buying several submarines to strengthen the Navy's fleet.

"We'll prioritize the procurement of submarines for our naval fleet," he said.

"Submarines are effective in maintaining security at sea," he added.

He declined to say where Indonesia would purchase the submarines. (imn)