Quick-draw Megawati felled by Romania pistol fiasco
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.