Indonesian Air Force warns air intruders

Indonesian Air Force warns air intruders

JAKARTA (JP): With reports of intrusion into the country's
airspace bordering East Timor becoming more and more common, the
Indonesian Air Force warned on Sunday that it would not hesitate
to shoot down any foreign airplanes, viewing such violations as a
threat to the country's sovereignty.

Air Force Chief of Staff Air Marshal Hanafie Asnan said four
jet fighters would be stationed at Kupang air base in
anticipation of intensifying air trespasses into the country's
half of Timor island.

The fleet will be comprised of two F-5E Tigers and two other
U.S-made aircraft F-16 Falcons now standing by at Madiun air base
in East Java.

"We decided to dispatch the jet fighters after learning that
diplomatic talks had gone nowhere," he said after a ceremony
marking the Air Force's 54th anniversary celebration at Halim
Perdanakusuma airport compound.

For strategic reasons, Kupang air base will be upgraded from C
to B status, meaning that a fleet of fighting aircraft will
always be ready there.

Hanafie said that the Air Force would follow international
procedure to deal with airspace intruders.

The procedures require the Air Force planes to escort
intruding airplanes and guide them out of the country's
territory first before taking sterner measures.

Commander of the Makassar-based National Air Defense Operation
Commodore M. Basri Sidehabi said on Friday that at least nine
foreign airplanes had illegally flown over Indonesia's skies in
the last two months.

They included a helicopter belonging to the United Nations
Transitional Administration for East Timor (UNTAET), which Basri
said crossed the border last week.

Hanafie said East Timor's independence from Indonesia had
generated many international flight routes to Indonesia's former
province.

"Usually countries that want to know about Indonesia fly
through this international route," Hanafie said.

Indonesian Military (TNI) Chief Adm. Widodo AS, who presided
over the ceremony, said afterward the United Nations Peacekeeping
Force (UNPKF) in East Timor had yet to respond to TNI's proposal
to boost cooperation between the two parties in maintaining order
and security along the border.

The proposal covers three points: to allow the UNPKF to place
liaison officers in Atambua and several border posts, and in
exchange to ask the UNPKF to allow the TNI to place its liaison
officers in the headquarters of the western sector; to build four
to five joint posts along the border; and to hold joint patrols
to eliminate distrust.

Widodo also renewed his denial that TNI has been training pro-
Indonesia militias to attack East Timor as reported by
Australia's Sydney Morning Herald.

Widodo said that TNI had seriously enforced law in dealing
with militia activities. He added so far TNI had confiscated 251
weapons and brought one militia activist to justice.

Also attending the celebration former Air Force commanders,
including Omar Dhani who was dismissed for his alleged
involvement in the abortive coup in 1965, chief of Army Strategic
Reserve Command (Kostrad) Maj. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah, and
some foreign dignitaries.

Thousands of people were seen enthusiastically watching the
celebration, which was highlighted by an aerobatics show
performed by six British-made Hawk MK-53 jet fighters. (08)