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referring to the abundance of historical documents that support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)