http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/well-help-indonesia-go-nuclear/2006/11/07/1162661684698.html
We'll help Indonesia go nuclear Mark Forbes, Herald Correspondent in Jakarta November 8, 2006 AUSTRALIA will help Indonesia develop a nuclear program, conduct joint border protection patrols, expand military and intelligence ties and agree to suppress Papuan independence supporters under a historic security treaty to be signed on Monday. The groundbreaking security treaty would be comprehensive but would not include a formal military alliance, sources close to the negotiations said. The Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, will fly to Indonesia to sign the treaty with his counterpart, Hassan Wirayuda, on Monday. Its details were finalised when the pair met in New York last month. The treaty will provide a framework for stronger ties and expanded co-operation with Indonesia across a wide range of areas. Sources said it marked a new era in the relationship, putting an end to the diplomatic rift caused when Australia granted 43 Papuans asylum earlier this year. Both nations will agree to respect each other's territorial integrity. The treaty will recognise Indonesian sovereignty over Papua and commit both countries to suppressing independence activists. The Indonesia and Australia Framework for Security Co-operation includes a commitment for both nations to help each other in developing nuclear power for peaceful purposes. It opens the way for Australia to sell uranium to Indonesia, which is planning to begin construction of its first nuclear power plant in 2010. Both nations will also commit to acting to prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction to other countries in the region. Intelligence sharing will be boosted, along with joint counter-terrorism operations, sources confirmed. Australia would enhance its and Indonesia's border protection with joint naval and surveillance patrols. Co-operation will be increased in all areas of law enforcement, with Australia providing resources to Indonesian police, prosecutors and immigration and customs officials. Military exercises and joint training, including with Indonesia's Kopassus unit, will also increase. Both militaries will be told to draw up specific programs for greater co-operation. Under six broad principles, the treaty states both nations should be treated as equals, respect the other's values and not interfere in internal affairs. They also state neither country would allow itself to become a "staging post" for separatist activities - a clause clearly aimed at an Australian crackdown on anti-Indonesian activists. The treaty goes further than a traditional military treaty, placing more emphasis on broader security issues. It commits both nations to increasing public understanding about the other. Education and advertising campaigns are envisaged to reduce public mistrust, which has shown up in recent polling. Announcing the negotiations for a treaty earlier this year, Mr Downer promised the process would be transparent. "People will be able to make public submissions long before this treaty is formally ratified," he said. However, diplomatic sources confirmed the treaty's details had been privately finalised last month, and final approval from the Indonesian cabinet was simply a formality. Arrangements for the foreign ministers to meet on the island of Lombok on Monday have already been made. Under Paul Keating, Australia signed a security treaty with Indonesia in 1995, but it was torn up by Jakarta in 1999 amid the tensions surrounding Australia's involvement in East Timor's independence. The treaty marks a dramatic turnaround after months of diplomatic turmoil fuelled by Australia's decision to grant asylum to 43 Papuan independence supporters. In response, the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, froze relations with Australia for three months. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Post message: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe : [EMAIL PROTECTED] List owner : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
