Indonesia, Malaysia stand by claims
Indonesia, Malaysia stand by claims
Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Wahyoe Boediwardhana,
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Denpasar
The first round of technical talks aimed to resolve a dispute
over an offshore area between Indonesia and Malaysia concluded on
Wednesday, with both sides vowing not to back down from their
claims over the oil field.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said after the
talks that both countries had agreed to resume their dialog in
Malaysia in early May, with more rounds of negotiations to
follow.
"We stick to our claim. We are not backing down because
Ambalat is still our area. We're now constructing a lighthouse
there and the project will continue," he said.
The talks focused on the maritime mapping of the so-called
Ambalat blocks, an oil- and gas-rich area off the eastern coast
of Kalimantan.
Hassan said Indonesia reaffirmed its stance during the
technical talks in Denpasar, Bali, which the minister said took
place "in a good and friendly atmosphere".
The bipartisan technical commission was been set up to examine
the competing claims and to try find a solution.
"Both sides have been very open and straightforward about
their respective positions. We asked (Malaysia) about the basis
for their argument in determining the borders," he said.
Hassan said Indonesia would explain its legal claim to the
Ambalat blocks based on the country's status as an archipelago
nation during the next meetings.
As of Wednesday, Indonesian and Malaysian warships continued
their patrols around the disputed blocks. Indonesian Military
chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said the military would maintain
its presence there while the negotiations were underway.
Both the Indonesian and Malaysian delegates to the technical
talks refused to give statements regarding the results of their
closed-door meeting.
On the second day, the meeting was moved to the third floor of
the Grand Mirage Hotel after it was held in the ballroom
overnight. Tight security meant all access to the meeting room
was blocked.
Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said
the two sides had expressed concern about local militias deployed
to the area who were reportedly preparing for an armed
confrontation should talks between the two nations fail.
He said Malaysia and Indonesia would announce the results of
the Bali technical meeting soon.
The neighbors, Marty said, were considering a series of
meetings on the subject to pursue a resolution.
"It's difficult to imagine the negotiation process finishing
after only one meeting," he said.
Outside the hotel, dozens of people who claimed to represent
the "national defense command" rallied to protest at what they
called an invasion by Malaysia into the disputed maritime area.
In a statement, the demonstrators said they opposed any
compromise or oil-sharing agreement. "The block belongs entirely
to Indonesia," they said.
The protesters also mobbed the car carrying Marty out of the
hotel before police dispersed them.
"We wanted to give him our statement," one of them said.
Envoy -- Page 2
Muninggar Sri Saraswati and Wahyoe Boediwardhana,
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Denpasar
The first round of technical talks aimed to resolve a dispute
over an offshore area between Indonesia and Malaysia concluded on
Wednesday, with both sides vowing not to back down from their
claims over the oil field.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said after the
talks that both countries had agreed to resume their dialog in
Malaysia in early May, with more rounds of negotiations to
follow.
"We stick to our claim. We are not backing down because
Ambalat is still our area. We're now constructing a lighthouse
there and the project will continue," he said.
The talks focused on the maritime mapping of the so-called
Ambalat blocks, an oil- and gas-rich area off the eastern coast
of Kalimantan.
Hassan said Indonesia reaffirmed its stance during the
technical talks in Denpasar, Bali, which the minister said took
place "in a good and friendly atmosphere".
The bipartisan technical commission was been set up to examine
the competing claims and to try find a solution.
"Both sides have been very open and straightforward about
their respective positions. We asked (Malaysia) about the basis
for their argument in determining the borders," he said.
Hassan said Indonesia would explain its legal claim to the
Ambalat blocks based on the country's status as an archipelago
nation during the next meetings.
As of Wednesday, Indonesian and Malaysian warships continued
their patrols around the disputed blocks. Indonesian Military
chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said the military would maintain
its presence there while the negotiations were underway.
Both the Indonesian and Malaysian delegates to the technical
talks refused to give statements regarding the results of their
closed-door meeting.
On the second day, the meeting was moved to the third floor of
the Grand Mirage Hotel after it was held in the ballroom
overnight. Tight security meant all access to the meeting room
was blocked.
Indonesian foreign ministry spokesman Marty Natalegawa said
the two sides had expressed concern about local militias deployed
to the area who were reportedly preparing for an armed
confrontation should talks between the two nations fail.
He said Malaysia and Indonesia would announce the results of
the Bali technical meeting soon.
The neighbors, Marty said, were considering a series of
meetings on the subject to pursue a resolution.
"It's difficult to imagine the negotiation process finishing
after only one meeting," he said.
Outside the hotel, dozens of people who claimed to represent
the "national defense command" rallied to protest at what they
called an invasion by Malaysia into the disputed maritime area.
In a statement, the demonstrators said they opposed any
compromise or oil-sharing agreement. "The block belongs entirely
to Indonesia," they said.
The protesters also mobbed the car carrying Marty out of the
hotel before police dispersed them.
"We wanted to give him our statement," one of them said.
Envoy -- Page 2