efense Minister Juwono Sudarsono said military exercises provided for in the Indonesia-Singapote Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) might not be staged in Natuna as the local communty was against the use of the region for the purpose.
"It`s possible the exercises will not be held in Natuna. The problem will be discussed with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)," Juwono said here on Thursday on the sidelines of a national coordination meeting on spatial planning.
Under article 6 of the DCA, the venues and frequency of exercises were to be decided by the two countries. So it was posssible to change the location of the ezercises with the approval of the two countries, the minister said.
He said the Indonesian government had accepted the Natuna community`s objections and considered them as input for the DCA`s implementation.
"We have met the Riau Islands governor and councillors (in whose jurisdication Nainaa is located) to discuss the implementation of the DCA. We consider the meeting`s results as inputs," he said.
Minister Juwono said the DCA would not be implemented pending the results of a planned meeting between the two countries` foreign affairs ministers.
"The foreign ministers` meeting may take place next month," Juwono said.
The minister also said he expected the House of Representative (DPR) to ratify the DCA next year.
Meanwhile, around 3,000 residents of Natuna were expected to hold a rally next Saturday to express their rejection of a plan to use their area for military exercises by Singapore military personnel. (*)
Copyright © 2007 ANTARA
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