Indonesia says Singapore trying to scuttle defence pact
By Channel NewsAsia's Indonesia Bureau Chief Sujadi Siswo | Posted: 04 July 2007 2106 hrs
Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean (2nd-L) shakes hands with Indonesian counterpart Juwono Sudarsono (MINDEF pic)
JAKARTA : Indonesia's defence minister has accused Singapore of trying to scuttle the bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement, so it will not have to sign an extradition treaty which is part of the package.
The defence pact and landmark extradition treaty were signed in April, but still need to be ratified by the two country's parliaments.
Indonesian lawmakers had demanded a fine-tuning of the implementation agreements - which detailed specific areas of cooperation - citing sovereignty issues.
A scheduled signing was then delayed.
The main hurdle, according to Indonesia, lies in the frequency of military exercises in one of the three training areas in Indonesian territory.
Indonesia's Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono said Singapore's demand for 15 days a month for exercises in Bravo area at the South China Sea is unacceptable.
He said Jakarta is willing to allow 4 to 6 times a year, citing environmental concerns, fishermen's livelihoods as well as common security.
Mr Juwono explained that the technical, operational and administration of the training areas were part of the Implementation Agreement that have to be agreed by both countries.
He argued that Singapore is deliberately making Bravo area an issue so that the Defence Cooperation Agreement will be stalled. This way, Singapore will not have to carry out the Extradition Treaty which is part of the package. - CNA /ls
Indonesia says Singapore trying to scuttle defence pact 
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