House members oppose exercises with Australia

House members oppose exercises with Australia

Members of the House of Representatives Commission I on defense
Permadi and Djoko Susilo examine various
types of weaponry belonging to the Army Special Forces (Kopassus)
at the unit's headquarters near the Central Java town of
Surakarta.

The lawmakers visited Kopassus on Wednesday to inquire about
the possibility of the unit taking part in a joint exercise with
Australia's elite Special Air Service (SAS) unit next year.

The lawmakers called on Kopassus to "think twice" before
agreeing to Australia's offer, which is aimed at helping the
country fight terrorism and piracy.

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle lawmaker Sabam Sirait
said the government should be cautious about the invitation,
saying Australia might use the opportunity to intervene in
Indonesia's domestic affairs.

"We need to be cautious as we are aware that Australia really
needs collaboration with us so they can counter their greatest
fear, which is terrorism," he said.

Djoko of the National Mandate Party expressed similar
concerns, saying Indonesia should instead give priority to
military cooperation with the United States through its
International Military Education and Training (IMET) program.

"That program (IMET) is more essential for us because we can
learn much from it," he said.

Rights watch groups have also criticized the Australian offer,
saying that such an opportunity should be given to the police who
are in charge of security.

Australia announced on Sunday it would resume the joint
training program with the TNI after seven years of lapse and
invited the Kopassus to a two-week antiterror drill next year.
(JP/Blontank Poer)