Quick-draw Megawati felled by Romania pistol fiasco
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Much-touted claims that Indonesia was to be sold small arms by Romania turned out to be a figment of officialdom's imagination on Monday when visiting President Ion Iliescu said that his country had no handguns to sell, claiming that the country's weapons industry had been downsized in line with NATO requirements.
Iliescu met with his Indonesian counterpart President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Monday, when he told his host that Romania had cut its small arms production, making it impossible to supply arms to Indonesia.
"Weapons industries in Romania are becoming smaller as they have to comply with NATO regulations," Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said after the meeting.
Indonesia had hoped to diversify its weapons suppliers to include some former east bloc countries in the face of a crushing weapons embargo imposed by the United States and its allies following bloody conflicts in the run-up to, during, and after the United Nations-sponsored referendum in East Timor in 1999.
The Air Force purchased four Russian-made Sukhoi jet fighters and two assault helicopters in September last year.
During a three-day visit to Romania in April 2003, Megawati was keeping an eye open for new suppliers of military equipment. With 12 small arms factories, Romania was once known as the world's largest small arms producer.
Romania officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on Jan. 1, 2004. Romania is also preparing to become a member of the European Union in 2007.
According to Minister Hassan, Romania was still willing to work together in the armaments sector, but was unable to sell small arms to Indonesia due to its limited production.
"The two Presidents discussed the military supply industry, but not in terms of we are buying guns from them," Hassan said without elaborating.
Iliescu arrived here on Sunday for a five-day state visit aimed at boosting bilateral relations between the two countries.
The two Presidents agreed to strengthen economic and social ties and revitalize diplomatic relations established in 1950s.
During a joint press briefing, President Iliescu said that his meeting with President Megawati centered on economic cooperation.
"There are several complex cooperation projects that are under negotiation, particularly in the fields of energy, rolling stock, small and medium enterprises, and research and technology," Iliescu said.
He also said that the two countries had looked into the possibilities of forging close cooperation in the goods and services industries.
Megawati said that an exchange program for medical workers would begin in March, with more exchange programs to come in the future.
"We also reaffirmed Romania's support for the territorial integrity of Indonesia," the Indonesian President said in the press briefing.
The two Presidents also witnessed the signing of memorandums of understanding on cooperation in training, and small and medium enterprises development.
Iliescu also finalized a deal with the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro on the participation of Romania in a power generation project in Indonesia.
On Tuesday, the visiting president is scheduled to pay a courtesy visit on House of Representatives' Speaker Akbar Tandjung, attend a business forum and hold a meeting with the Romanian community in Jakarta.
He is also slated to visit the Bogor Botanical Gardens, the Safari Park and a tea plantation in Cipanas, West Java.
Before returning to Romania, Iliescu and his entourage will visit Prambanan and Borobudur temples in Central Java, and spend a day on the resort island of Bali.
"Bali will be the most interesting part of my visit here," Iliescu said.