RI says new Australian security zone unacceptable

RI says new Australian security zone unacceptable

Agencies, Jakarta

Indonesia said on Thursday it could not accept Australia's proposed new maritime security zone, saying it infringed on Indonesian waters and violated freedom of navigation.

"We can't accept this this concept because it breaches our maritime jurisdiction," Foreign Minister Wirayuda told reporters in Jakarta after meeting Australian Defense Minister Robert Hill.

"We view this concept as having the potential for violating international maritime laws," he said, accusing Canberra of U.S.- inspired unilateralism.

Under the plan announced by Prime Minister John Howard Wednesday, all ships traveling to Australia will be required to provide details on their journey and cargo if they enter the 1,000 nautical mile (1,800 kilometer) zone.

Vessels coming within a 200 nautical mile limit of the Australian coast will also be required to give extra details on cargo, ports visited, location, course, speed and intended port of arrival.

The move is similar to steps taken by the United States in dramatically raising standards of maritime security amid fears of terrorist attacks on ships. Washington has called on its allies to introduce similar measures.

Hassan said the 1,000 nautical zone touched Indonesian waters off Maluku and Sulawesi islands as well as most of the Java sea.

Hill, who is on a two-day visit to Indonesia, defended the move, saying it would allow Australian authorities to better monitor ships traveling to Australia.

"We would like to try to identify ships that are traveling to Australian coasts earlier than what we currently do ...to ask ships that are coming to Australia to identify themselves, give us early advice of what cargo they are bringing," he said.

Jakarta has in the past expressed concerns about Canberra's plans to acquire long-range cruise missiles that Australia says will give it the "most lethal capacity" for air combat.

Meanwhile several analysts said that Australia's plans to create a maritime surveillance zone reaching into Indonesian waters is an example of its insensitivity to Asia and will bolster the view of Australia as a regional U.S. deputy sheriff.

Like the U.S.-led Proliferation Security Initiative, Australia's maritime security zone raises complex legal issues and analysts warned on Thursday Australia risked international protests and a strain of ties with its Asian neighbors.

"It links in with the Proliferation Security Initiative -- it's sort of chapter two of that. It will be seen as another instance of Australia being the deputy sheriff," Australian National University political analyst Michael McKinley said.

"We seem unable to integrate with the region in a sensitive way. This is another part of the testosterone-driven strategic policy of the Australian government. If you looked from afar you would say Australia is trying to be a regional policeman."

But a spokesman for Australia's Foreign Affairs Department said New Zealand, Indonesia and East Timor had now been briefed on the security net, which he stressed would only stretch 1,000 nautical miles if there were no competing jurisdictions.

"We're going to ensure that this is entirely consistent with our international obligations and done in full cooperation with our neighbors," the spokesman said.

New Zealand, a very close ally of Australia, initially expressed confusion about the maritime security zone plan but later on Thursday said it did not appear to infringe on the sovereign rights of neighboring countries.

"New Zealand already co-operates closely with Australia on surveillance in the region ... We would have no problems in broadening that co-operation," New Zealand's Foreign Minister Phil Goff said in a statement.