Australian Defense Plan Targets Indonesian Ties

Australia is looking to deepen its ties with Indonesia in order to better ensure its own security, according to the Australian 2013 Defense White Paper released on Friday.

The document, released by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Defense Minister Stephen Smith, represents the government’s long-term strategic interests in peacefully managing and controlling the Indo-Pacific region.

Indonesia, the paper emphasizes, remains the country’s “most important regional strategic relationship.”

The defense document states that Indonesia’s and Australia’s security issues are linked, with both countries sharing the goal of maintaining a stable and economically prosperous region.

Australia and Indonesia signed a Defense Cooperation Arrangement in September 2012, providing an official framework for practical defense cooperation. Last year, defense forces of the two countries took part in the biggest joint military training exercises since the mid-1990s.

The document calls for even greater defense and security cooperation, seeking to expand the existing program of cooperation on counter-terrorism, maritime isues, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. This will include expanding bilateral training exercises as well as increasing the frequency and scope of personnel and unit exchanges.

Professor Aleksius Jemadu, Dean of Universitas Pelita Harapan’s School of Social and Political Sciences, said it was in Australia’s interest to focus so much attention on Indonesia.

“Australia wants to see Indonesia become a strong, democratic and stable ally as it is an immediate neighbor of significant influence in the region,” he said.

“The more democratic Indonesia is, the better the chance of it cooperate with Australia.” He continued that Australia wants to guarantee Indonesia as a stable democracy through closer cooperation and support on all levels.

When it comes to counterterrorism, Australia “aims to ensure the Indonesian forces have the skills, training and equipment to engage in effective and efficient counterterrorism efforts,” Aleksius said.

The defense document further refers to Indonesia’s opportunity to strengthen regional and global stability as the country’s influence and capabilities evolve.

The 2013 paper also tones down its rhetoric on the need to balance a rising China. Instead, the document claims Australia “welcomes China’s rise”, regionally and globally, primarily because of the economic benefits it has delivered worldwide.

  ● The Jakarta Globe