JP/3/KODAM

Annastashya Emmanuelle and Yemris Fointuna The Jakarta Post Jakarta/Kupang

For border protection reason, the Indonesian Military (TNI) is planning to relocate the Udayana military command from Bali to the East Nusa Tenggara provincial capital of Kupang, much to the approval of the eager to please local government and its military base.

The 161 Wirasakti Kupang Military Commander Col. Inf. Moeswarno Moesanip and East Nusa Tenggara Vice Governor Johanis Pake Pani hailed the plan on Friday, saying that the planned relocation was a good decision considering that East Nusa Tenggara was bordering with to newly independent East Timor and Australia.

"For the sake of national defense, I find it suitable for a Military Command as a TNI strategic compartment to be established in Kupang," Moesanip said in Kupang.

While according to the vice governor's assessment, a stronger military presence in West Timor was necessary to maintain security along the border areas and create a feeling of safety among the local people.

"At present, East Timor and Australia has yet to become a threat, but in the future it might be different. Therefore a sufficient strategy must be developed and the plan to relocate Udayana military command to Kupang should won supports from all sides in West Timor," Johanis said.

Recently, Gen. Endriartono Sutarto -- President Megawati Soekarnoputri's main candidate for TNI's top post -- spoke about the military command headquarters' planned relocation during a fit and proper test at the House of Representatives last week.

Separately, military and defense analysts criticized the plan which they said was lacked of international paradigm and was a spontaneous reaction to East Timor's independence.

Indonesian policy makers are advised to be mindful of the shift in international approach regarding security issues which now peruse on eliminating enemy by increasing cooperation with neighbor countries.

"In contradiction with the cold war era, there is a growing tendency of countries to be interdependent and to enhance cooperation to improve their own people's social welfares," M. Rifqie Muna, a defense and military observer from the Research Institute for Democracy and Peace (RIDeP) told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.

Instead of moving the IX Udayana military command, which would only harm the country's image, the TNI would be better off solidifying its line of command which often overlaps with one another.

"Having a well coordinated force would be far more effective (in protecting the border) than moving the entire military command to West Timor, especially when there is no urgency to do so," he said.

TNI is especially sensitive when it comes to matters relating to East Timor, particularly after the former Indonesian territory voted for independence in a UN sponsored ballot.

Under international scrutiny, Indonesia commence its first ad hoc tribunal to try those responsible for the atrocities in East Timor, including some military and police personnel.

After the bloody breakaway from Indonesia's 24 years occupation, East Timor becomes formally independent in May 20, which celebration was attended by President Megawati Soekarnoputri despite of legislatures disapproval.

President Xanana Gusmao, the country's first president, consistently send out message of reconciliation with Indonesia, calling on both sides to look for a better harmonious future and not to live in the past.