U.S. experts to examine local seaports, airports

Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Two security experts from the United States have arrived in Indonesia to assess the implementation of security measures at the country's seaports and airports as part of an international drive to prevent the trade of goods by terrorists, the Ministry of Trade and Industry says.

The experts, Robert M. Green and Paul L. Washington, would identify areas for improvement, the ministry's director for the inspection of goods and services, Budi Darmadi, said.

"They will start working on Tuesday to examine security aspects at Tanjung Priok (seaport) and Soekarno-Hatta airport," Budi said after a meeting with the experts.

He said that other seaports and airports to be examined by the team included those in Medan, Surabaya, Makassar, Bali and Batam.

The arrival of the pair is part of an agreement made by member countries of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) during the recent gathering in Bangkok which agreed to carry out the U.S.-proposed Secure Trade in APEC Region (START) initiative.

The initiative is aimed at securing the flow of goods and people through measures which protect cargo, ships engaged in international voyages, international aviation and also people in transit.

The U.S. has launched a number of security measures in the international trade sector following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. In addition to START, the U.S. has introduced the Container Security Initiative (CSI) and the Bioterrorism Act.

Under CSI requirements, Indonesian products bound for U.S. markets must first undergo a physical inspection process in Singapore. The policy has been criticized by local exporters for creating additional costs.

The U.S. is one of the country's main export markets, accounting for 16 percent of the total export sales.

Indonesia's main exports to the U.S. include garments, textiles, footwear and shellfish.

Budi said that once Indonesia's seaports were upgraded, particularly on the security aspect, the inspection process could be conducted locally.

He said that the experts would help the country improve security at seaports and airports.

"The CSI system is part of the STAR initiative. If Indonesia can meet the STAR requirements, our exports can go directly to the U.S.," Budi said.

Indonesia has about 108,000 kilometers of coastline, the longest in the region. The country also has 114 seaports across the country.