Also - AN: RI NAVY CONTINUES TO SAFEGUARD KISAR, WETAR ISLANDS

Indonesia to establish new naval base near East Timor

May 12, 2005 1:12am Asia Intelligence Wire

Text of report by Indonesian news agency Antara web site

Ambon: Indonesia plans to set up a naval base on eastern Wetar island. Wetar is considered vulnerable as it borders with East Timor, a naval official said here on Wednesday [11 May].

"This is part of a security programme for peripheral islands," the VIII/Ambon Primary Naval Base, Cdre Bambang Supeno, said to reporters.

He said Maluku governor Karel Ralahalu supported the plan and had provided the land for the naval base.

He said the navy had already stationed some of its personnel to secure and control border areas.

He said that his men had so far found no serious problems on the country's borders with East Timor and Australia.

Regarding plans to increase the fleets of the existing naval bases and primary naval bases, he said it was being given serious consideration.

"Pier facilities, patrol ships and warships are needed to support operational activities," he said.

He said the VIII/Ambon Primary Naval Base would get a warship soon.

Source: Antara news agency, Jakarta, in Indonesian 11 May 05

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RI NAVY CONTINUES TO SAFEGUARD KISAR, WETAR ISLANDS

May 10, 2005 10:17pm Antara

Ambon, May 10 (ANTARA) - Indonesian Navy would continue to safeguard two of the country's southernmost island of Kisar and Wetar, bordering East Timor and Australia, Navy spokesman Commodore Bambang Susanto said here Tuesday.

Protection of those two islands, according to Bambang, was part of the Indonesian Navy's consitency in maintaing the integrity of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

Bambang said Kisar and Wetar were among Indonesia's 12 outermost islands which attracted special attention from the government, especially the Navy force.

"Kisar and Wetar are among several smaller islands in Maluku that have immediate border with East Timor and Australia," Bambang said, adding that the enforcement of maritime law throughout the Indonesian archipelago would continue to be stepped up.

It was for this reason that a lighthouse was erected at "Loronwisi" Cape of Oirata village in Kisar island in 2002.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)