TEMPO, Friday, 06 August, 2004 | 18:25 WIB
Maluku
Foreign Countries' Military Activities Threaten Maluku Borders
TEMPO Interactive, Ambon, Maluku:The borders of Maluku, particularly the islands in
the outer part of West Southeast Maluku regency, are threatened by activities of the
Australian and US militaries.
"At the moment, the military training of these countries is carried out nearby to our
islands. Therefore, we have to anticipate this matter immediately," XVI Pattimura
Military chief Maj. Gen. Syarifudin Sumah told reporters at the Pattimura XVI Military
Command headquarters (HQ) in Ambon on Friday (06/08).
According to Sumah, he has established coordination with the Indonesian Military
(TNI) Navy base in Halong, Ambon, to build a navy base in Saumlaki, West Southeast
Maluku regency and help the security in the border areas.
If this navy base is not built immediately, the help needed to secure the area will
require a long period of time.
Sumah said that this establishment of this navy base was important to anticipate
threats posed by foreign countries.
Sumah also warned the people of Maluku to be aware of the activities of foreign
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Maluku.
"You can guess that Maluku Sovereignty Front (FKM) was supported by foreign
NGOs. So, we have to be aware on all foreign NGOs based in Maluku," Suma stated.
(Yusnita - Tempo News Room)
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