ID :
31144
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 21:36
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http://m.oananews.org//node/31144
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RI, M'SIAN MILITARIES TO TRUST EACH OTHER OVER BORDER PROBLEMS
Jakarta, Nov 19 (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Defense Forces (TNI) and Malaysia's Armed Forces (ATM) have agreed to uphold mutual trust and respect in the settlement of the two countries' border problems.
"We have agreed always to uphold mutual trust and respect in overcoming the various obstacles in our efforts to settle border problems," TNI commander General Djoko Santoso said here on Wednesday.
Speaking to the press after a meeting with ATM commander General Tan Sri Abdul Azis HJ Zainal on the sidelines of the Indo Defense and Indo Aerospace 2008 exhibition here, Santoso said military relations were one of the pillars of the two countries' diplomacy in settling their bilateral problems, border problems in particular.
He said the border disputes that have arisen between the two countries were not problems that could not be settled through diplomacy. "With mutual trust and respect, the problems and obstables can be minimized," he said.
It was the right of the two armed forces to maintain security and perform safeguarding duties by conducting routine patrols in their respective territories, he said.
ATM commander General Tan Sri Abdul Azis corroborated Santoso's remarks, saying that Malaysia would continue conducting routine patrols along its borders with Indonesia as it was a normal thing to do.
"We will remain on guard in Malaysian territory bordering Indonesia. It is just a routine activity," he said.
Indonesian Army Chief of Staff General Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo meanwhile said on the occasion that land border security cooperation between the two countries continued to go well.
He said there was just a need to build a more permanent infrastructure, particularly in areas where no security posts had as yet been set up.
"This can be done by opening border gates, road development or oilpalm plantation development. So, it will be the people in border regions that will secure the borders because the number of TNI personnel and equipment is limited for securing the Indonesia-Malaysia land borders," he said.
Agustadi said border problems could not be settled by military forces alone. Diplomacy was also needed for the purpose, he added.
"We have agreed always to uphold mutual trust and respect in overcoming the various obstacles in our efforts to settle border problems," TNI commander General Djoko Santoso said here on Wednesday.
Speaking to the press after a meeting with ATM commander General Tan Sri Abdul Azis HJ Zainal on the sidelines of the Indo Defense and Indo Aerospace 2008 exhibition here, Santoso said military relations were one of the pillars of the two countries' diplomacy in settling their bilateral problems, border problems in particular.
He said the border disputes that have arisen between the two countries were not problems that could not be settled through diplomacy. "With mutual trust and respect, the problems and obstables can be minimized," he said.
It was the right of the two armed forces to maintain security and perform safeguarding duties by conducting routine patrols in their respective territories, he said.
ATM commander General Tan Sri Abdul Azis corroborated Santoso's remarks, saying that Malaysia would continue conducting routine patrols along its borders with Indonesia as it was a normal thing to do.
"We will remain on guard in Malaysian territory bordering Indonesia. It is just a routine activity," he said.
Indonesian Army Chief of Staff General Agustadi Sasongko Purnomo meanwhile said on the occasion that land border security cooperation between the two countries continued to go well.
He said there was just a need to build a more permanent infrastructure, particularly in areas where no security posts had as yet been set up.
"This can be done by opening border gates, road development or oilpalm plantation development. So, it will be the people in border regions that will secure the borders because the number of TNI personnel and equipment is limited for securing the Indonesia-Malaysia land borders," he said.
Agustadi said border problems could not be settled by military forces alone. Diplomacy was also needed for the purpose, he added.
