Australia Does Not Want a Strong Indonesian Army
Wednesday, 21 June, 2006 | 13:48 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Juwono Sudarsono, the Minister of Defense, has stated that Australia has large interests with Indonesia.

They do not want the Indonesian Army to become too Strong so that the country's security and economy remain safe.

“The Australian government wishes that Indonesia does not become too strong militarily that it will disturb security. Yet, it also wishes that it does not become so weak that the country would collapse economically, socially and politically.” said Juwono when opening a workshop on Australian-Indonesian Relations at the Department of Defense yesterday (20/6).

The main interests of Australia, said Juwono, are to prevent illegal immigrants entering Indonesia and to safeguard the economy so that it is not negatively affected.

“Don't let Indonesia disintegrate, but don't let it too strong,” he said.

Therefore, Australia is expected to cooperate with Indonesia in mutually profitable ways.

Prior to President Yudhoyono's meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, the terms of the agreement will yet to be settled.

Dian Yuliastuti and Dimas Adityo