RI rules out joint ASEAN peace force
RI rules out joint ASEAN peace force
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia rejected yesterday a proposal by its neighbors, in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to establish a joint peacekeeping force which would be available for any mission under the United Nations banner.
Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat said, given the different military doctrines used in ASEAN countries, such a force would be ineffective in carrying out a peacekeeping mission.
The idea for a joint ASEAN military force was broached last month during a meeting between Malaysian defense minister Najib Tun Razak and his Singapore counterpart Lee Boon Yan in Singapore, Antara reported.
ASEAN groups Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
The 28-year old association has so far managed to avoid forming a regional defense pact although security and defense issues are now increasingly being incorporated into their agenda.
Edi yesterday told a hearing with the House of Representatives' Commission I, which deals with security issues, that Indonesia had not been consulted on the proposal for a joint military force to the United Nations.
He stressed that it would be much more effective if each ASEAN country was to send its forces individually to the various UN peacekeeping missions.
Indonesia has taken part in a number of UN peace missions across the globe, including Cambodia, Bosnia Herzegovina and Somalia.
Doctrine
The success of these missions was largely attributed to the Indonesian military doctrine and the ability of the troopers to adapt to the regions where they were assigned, Edi said.
Asked by a legislator about the recent signing of a defense agreement between Malaysia and Singapore, Edi said the pact focused on cooperation in their respective weapons industry. "Such a cooperation is normal between two neighboring countries in maximizing their weapons industry facilities and reduce their dependence upon foreign facilities," he said.
The minister was also asked about the state of the current dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia over the ownership of Sipadan and Ligatan, two small islands off East Kalimantan.
Indonesia is in a strong position to stake its claim, he said, referring to the abundance of historical documents that support Indonesia's title to the two islands.
The minister reiterated Indonesia's insistence that the matter should be resolved bilaterally or at least through ASEAN mechanism.
Following the break down of the last negotiations to resolve the conflict, Malaysia has been pressing Indonesia to hand the matter over to the United Nations' International Court of Justice.
Malaysia has been touting Sipadan as one of its latest diving paradise. Indonesia has regularly sent its patrol boats to monitor the activities there. (emb)