beijingwalker
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Invite China's army: Jakarta
Tom Allard, Bali
November 21, 2011
Tom Allard, Bali
November 21, 2011
INDONESIAN President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has given Prime Minister Julia Gillard a novel suggestion to defuse tensions surrounding the new defence training hub near Darwin - US and Australian forces should conduct military exercises with Chinese sailors and troops.
Dr Yudhoyono advanced the proposal yesterday after Ms Gillard reassured him the presence of 2500 US marines in northern Australia was not aimed at any particular nation and would enhance responses to natural disasters in the region.
According to Indonesian officials at the meeting of the two leaders, Dr Yudhoyono told Ms Gillard, it ''was good to clear up the intention because it might not be well received in some quarters''.
Ms Gillard then told Dr Yudhoyono - known by his initials SBY - that the US and Australian forces could train with Indonesian military personnel to improve disaster management.
''After Ms Gillard's explanation, SBY was very happy. SBY suggested that the military training involved all ASEAN members, and that she should also invite China,'' said presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha.
Involving China would improve trust with the US, particularly given tensions over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. It would also increase stability and provide a security environment conducive to economic growth, the Indonesian leader said, according to accounts given to The Age.
Ms Gillard didn't mention the proposal during a press briefing with reporters and was unavailable for comment late yesterday as she was returning to Australia.
''President Yudhoyono certainly understands that this is a step forward in our defence co-operation with the United States,'' she said earlier. ''This step forward in our defence co-operation is not aimed at any nation in our region and it does make available to us the ability to meet regional contingencies including natural disasters''
Ms Gillard also announced Australia will give Indonesia up to four used Hercules aircraft.
The planes need repairs but ''these aircraft are very important to the movement of people, equipment and food during times of difficulty'', she said.
The ''gift'' highlights that, whatever reservations Indonesia may have about the Darwin military training hub, it maintains close defence links with Australia.
Moreover, three days ago, the US said it was selling Indonesia 24 secondhand F-16 fighter jets at knockdown prices, reinforcing its enduring defence ties with a country that is, nonetheless, stridently non-aligned.
The two leaders also announced a $112 million food security program to help boost the productivity of Indonesian farmers. One million farmers, many of them impoverished, are expected to benefit from the initiative.
The Australian Federal Police and Indonesian counterparts also signed a new agreement to co-operate further in combating transnational crime, including people smuggling. Earlier this month, Australia delivered three high-speed intercept vessels to Indonesia's maritime police.
Ms Gillard thanked Indonesia for taking ''care'' of the 14-year-old NSW boy arrested for buying cannabis after allowing him to stay at an immigration detention centre with his parents while awaiting trial.
She also urged Dr Yudhoyono to approve cannabis smuggler Schapelle Corby's bid for presidential clemency.
Ms Gillard said she could not think of a better way to finish up two weeks of intense summitry, foreign affairs and security initiatives than meeting with the leader of south-east Asia's dominant power, the country with the world's biggest Muslim population and an emerging economic and geo-political force.
''We have a strong, positive relationship with Indonesia. It is our nearest neighbour. It is so important to us,'' said Ms Gillard.
