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.