JP/3/KODAM

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.