Koridor.com
Is it 'Fortress Indonesia' for Uncle Sam? Australia Eyes Irian
koridor.com [15 Nov, 1:46]

The US still needs a strong Indonesia to guard against possible Chinese and Japanese aggression. Meanwhile, Australia now has eyes on Irian after plundering Timorese oil. At least that the way House
of Representatives (DPR) Commission I member, Sutradara Gintings, saw it on Tuesday (14/11).

"There's no reason why the US wants to see Indonesia fall apart, especially from a political and economic geo-strategic perspective. That's because it still needs Indonesia to guard against moves from China and Japan," he said at a hearing with the Air Force Chief of Staff at the Parliament building in Jakarta.

Therefore, said Gintings, the embargo imposed by the US and European Union on the supply of military equipment to Indonesia has no connection with political or economic geo-strategy. "This is purely related to international politics," he said.

On the other hand, Sutradara Gintings indicated that Australia wished to see Indonesia's disintegration.

Gintings believed that during the past five years, Australia had increased its air defense system fivefold. "Howard (Australia's Prime Minister-ed) isn't playing games, he has strategic motives," said Gintings.

Australia's greed was shown when it pressured Indonesia into releasing East Timor. "After seeing the oil in the Timor Gap, Australia has now moved on to Irian Jaya," he stated.

The Air Force is now operating at a minimum level of preparedness in guarding Indonesia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The lack of military equipment, including spare parts, is of deep concern as the embargo will still be in force for another six months. (chairul / hw)