RI concerned over Aussie rocket project

RI concerned over Aussie rocket project

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia expressed concern on Tuesday over Australia's plan to
develop a rocket launchpad on Christmas island in the Indian
Ocean.

In a security dialog between the two governments on Tuesday,
Indonesian officials asked their counterparts to give an
explanation of the plan.

"We understand their intention to build a launchpad, but we
need to be assured that it is as safe as the Australian
government claims it is," said Makarim Wibisono, the director
general for Asia, Pacific and Africa from the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs.

Due to the island's proximity, any small mistake during a
rocket launch could spell catastrophe for Indonesia, Makarim
said.

The island is located 360 kilometers south of Jakarta and can
be reached by speedboat.

Canberra has said it would continue with the planned project,
which it has developed in cooperation with the Russian
government.

Makarim said that Indonesia would like to hear the details of
the plan to build the facility on the resort island, along with
the entire safety study.

"If possible, we could develop a cooperation on how to prevent
any possible problems, for instance, rocket failure," he said.

He said the talks were needed to prevent misunderstandings
over Australia's intention to build the defense facility so close
to Indonesia.

Data from the Indonesian Aeronautics Agency states that a
large rocket launchpad has a failure rate of between 10 percent
and 20 percent.

During the meeting, the two countries also discussed various
security issues, such as terrorism and illegal trafficking of
people and goods.

Makarim said Jakarta also asked Canberra to do something
regarding the activities of many Australian non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) that supported the independence of Papua.

"We ask Australia to promote its government's official stance,
which supports Indonesia's territorial integrity," Makarim said.

He said there had been reports of activities, carried out by
Australian NGOs, in support of an independence campaign in
Indonesia's easternmost province.