• US DOD trying to strongarm Indonesian into the US camp but ...

    From ltlee1@21:1/5 to All on Sun Sep 3 17:18:48 2023
    US DOD has the following press release on its website

    https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3504476/united-states-dod-and-indonesia-mod-joint-press-statement/
    ------------------------------------------------------
    United States DoD and Indonesia MoD Joint Press Statement
    Aug. 24, 2023 |

    Today, Secretary Austin and Minister Prabowo reaffirmed the strength of the defense pillar of our enduring Strategic Partnership. Together, they resolved to preserve international laws and norms, enhance our mutual security and defense capabilities, and
    remain guided by our shared democratic principles. They shared their determination to further strengthen our relationship, ensuring that it is robust and capable of seizing future opportunities and tackling emerging challenges in an increasingly complex
    geopolitical climate.

    Shared Vision
    Minister Prabowo and Secretary Austin agreed that the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and the United States' Indo-Pacific Strategy share fundamental principles, such as a commitment to maintaining peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the
    region through ASEAN Centrality, and that we should work alongside partners who share these goals and a commitment to an open, inclusive, and rules-based order. They shared the view that the People's Republic of China's (PRC) expansive maritime claims in
    the South China Sea are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Secretary Austin and Minister Prabowo jointly condemned violations of national sovereignty, as reflected in United Nations
    General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1 dated 2 March 2022, as adopted by majority vote, which deplores in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demands its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory
    of Ukraine.
    ...
    ----------------------------------------------------------

    However, the Indonesian MOD Prabowo Subianto denies the existence of such Joint Statement or press release.

    https://en.antaranews.com/news/292485/no-joint-statement-with-us-on-chinas-south-china-sea-claims-subianto#:~:text=Jakarta%20%28ANTARA%29%20-%20Indonesian%20Defense%20Minister%20Prabowo%20Subianto,press%20conference%2C%22%20he%20said%20in%20Jakarta%20on%
    20Thursday.
    ----------------------------------------------------------
    No joint statement with US on China's South China Sea claims: Subianto
    31st August 2023

    Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has clarified that he has not issued any joint statement with the US Secretary of Defense regarding China's claims in the South China Sea.

    "Yes, it is a statement, but there was no joint statement, nor was there a press conference," he said in Jakarta on Thursday.

    He met with his US counterpart, Lloyd J. Austin III, last week during a working visit to the United States.

    During the visit, Subianto witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between Indonesian and US defense industries on the purchasing of F-15EX fighter jets and Sikorsky S-70M Black Hawk helicopters.

    At the meeting, he and the US Defense Secretary discussed bilateral relations in the defense sector and sought to expand their coverage. They also discussed security issues in the region.

    After the meeting, on August 24, 2023, the US Department of Defense issued a joint press statement stating that the two ministers shared the view that China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea are inconsistent with international law,
    particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

    According to the statement, Austin and Subianto also jointly condemned the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demanded its complete and unconditional withdrawal from Ukrainian territory.

    No joint statement was issued following last week's meeting, Subianto reiterated.

    "The important thing is, I can underline here that we (Indonesia) have very good relations with China. We build mutual respect and understanding. I conveyed that in the US. We are close friends with China, we respect America, and we seek friendship with
    Russia. Indonesia's position is clear that we are non-aligned. We befriend all countries," he said.
    ...
    ----------------------------------------------------------

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)