RI, RP to boost antiterror cooperation: Minister
RI, RP to boost antiterror cooperation: Minister
Agencies, Jakarta
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda emphasized
on Saturday the need for Jakarta and Manila to enhance security
cooperation to tackle the increasing terrorist threats in the
region.
Speaking at a press conference at the end of his two-day visit
to the Philippines, the minister said cooperation in intelligence
information, immigration and police control would be vital for
the two countries.
"In the light of the Bali bombings there is a need for
intensified cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia in
the field of security and law-enforcement," Hassan said in a
press conference with his Philippine counterpart, Blas Ople as
quoted by Agence France-Presse.
Hassan said he discussed the issue with Philippine national
security adviser Roilo Golez earlier Saturday but he would not
give details.
The two countries are both signatories of a terrorism pact,
involving Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia, to enhance cooperation
to combat terrorism.
The two countries share the same terrorist concerns as there
are suspected relations between several radical Muslim groups in
Indonesia with the Moro separatist movement in the Philippine,
especially in the trafficking of explosives.
Two Indonesians are currently in prison in the neighboring
country, Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi and Agus Dwikarna, for illegal
possession of explosives earlier this year.
There were no discussions regarding the two Indonesians, as
Hassan asserted that he "fully respects the legal process," in
the Philippines.
Dwikarna and al-Ghozi are believed to have links to the Jamaah
Islamiyah terrorist group and are alleged to have planned bombing
attacks in the region. There are also strong suspicion that they
worked with rebel groups in Moro.
Aside from terrorism, Hassan also looked for closer bilateral
relations in other areas. He said the two countries agreed to
work together further on trade and fishery matters and on the
prospect of Manila buying natural gas from Indonesia's Tangguh
Field in Papua.
The two countries will also sign a memorandum of understanding
in January on cooperation in protecting the welfare of their
respective overseas workers.
Hassan, who is on an Asian tour, was flying to Japan on
Sunday.
Indonesian ministry of foreign affairs spokesman Marty
Natalegawa said on Sunday that in Tokyo Hassan would also discuss
terrorism, among other things.
"There is also a possible discussion on Aceh, as Tokyo earlier
this month hosted a conference to set up a trust fund for post-
war reconstruction of the province," Marty said.
He was referring to the two-day conference on Dec. 3 and 4
where representatives of 23 countries and international agencies
gathered and pledged financial support to rebuild the province
after the signing of a peace pact between Jakarta and the Free
Aceh Movement (GAM) on Dec. 9.
The participating donors had agreed to hold another meeting as
soon as possible.