TNI is not preparing yet for mission in Afghanistan

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Rear Marshall Graito Usodo said on Monday that the TNI had yet to prepare its troops to join an international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan.

"We have yet to receive an official request from the UN to join an international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan. Therefore, we have not made any preparations," Graito told The Jakarta Post by telephone.

Graito added that the dispatch of TNI troops to join an international peacekeeping force would undergo several stages here, such as the selection of troops, the determination of its terms of assignment, as well as the kind of assignment.

"The UN has yet to request us, so we have no idea what kind of assistance they need. Will they need medical, security, or only observer assistance?" Graito asked.

Graito brushed aside a report that said that the TNI had prepared some 1,000 personnel to join the UN's peacekeeping force.

The UN said that it was preparing a blueprint for a post- Taliban government in Afghanistan as several Western and Muslim countries suggested that the UN launch a peacekeeping operation there.

Indonesia, along with other Muslim countries such as Malaysia, and Egypt, have offered to contribute troops to a possible UN multinational force in Afghanistan.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Sunday that Indonesia, as the country with the largest Muslim population, should join an international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan.

He, however, underlined that "it should not harm the country's national interests."

Susilo's words were based on the fact that several hardline Muslim groups here condemned the military attacks launched by the U.S. on Afghanistan on Oct. 7.

Graito, however, confirmed that the TNI would support the government's commitment to join the UN peacekeeping force.

Contacted separately, chairman of the Islam Youth Movement (GPI) Iqbal Siregar said that the government's decision to join the UN peacekeeping force would only hurt Muslim people here.

He also underlined that the TNI should focus on handling several troubled provinces, such as Papua and Aceh, and "face the threat of disintegration".