KOMODO EXERCISE FOCUSES ON MARITIME PEACEKEEPING OPERATION by Fardah

Padang, W Sumatra, April 13, 2016 (Antara) - The Indonesian Navy is hosting three international events focused on maritime peacekeeping operation as part of its international diplomacy, in Padang City and Mentawai Isles District, West Sumatra Province, between April 12 and 16, 2016. 
    The three events are the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2016, the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016, and the 15th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS).   
    Part of the Indonesian Navy's defense diplomacy during peace time, the events are aimed at promoting a common understanding on tolerance and transparency among navies of various countries.

        The biennial Komodo Exercise's theme is "Readiness and Cooperation for Peace."
   The first MNEK was organized in 2014 in Batam and the Islands of Anambas and Natuna, and saw 14 navies from ASEAN member countries and other states participating.

         Participants in the Komodo Exercise 2016 will be organizing humanitarian activities such as free medical services and extending assistance to construct public facilities and infrastructure in the province.  
    The participating navies will also work together to enhance information sharing and maritime cooperation.

         Fifteen foreign countries have sent 20 of their warships to participate in the events.  As the host country, Indonesia has deployed 28 warships.

         The foreign navies are Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, the United States, Japan, France, Russia, China, Sri Lanka, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam.

        President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), in his opening remarks on April 12 in Padang, pointed out that one of the most difficult wars is the quest to win humanity.

         "In fact, the effectiveness of a non-combat military operation should not be underestimated," he remarked.

          The non-combat exercise is expected to  boost cooperation among navies of the countries in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, Jokowi stated.

          Humanitarian operations, particularly the disaster mitigation efforts at sea as well as Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, need preparedness, speed and adequate resources, he stated.

         "Such operations will yield optimal results if these are not carried out alone. We need cooperation of other countries, especially of navies from the countries stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean," he said.

        The head of state hoped that the Komodo Exercise would help strengthen Indonesia's maritime culture.

           "This exercise is also expected to promote common understanding regarding protection of marine natural resources, regional cooperation and the need to improve human resources in the maritime sector," Jokowi affirmed.    
     During the opening ceremony, Jokowi unveiled the Peace Dove Monument  in Muaro Lasak Park, Padang.

          Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy, Admiral Ade Supandi, stated that the Peace Dove Monument, complete with a picture of the globe, symbolizes the peace prevailing in Indonesia as well as the need for peace all over the world.   
     As for the 15th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) held on April 13 and 14, a total of 27 countries are participating.

           The symposium is aimed at strengthening cooperation among the region's navies and improving capabilities in conducting daily operations of the navies belonging to the WPNS member countries, the admiral explained.

         The participating states include China, Singapore, the United States, Australia, France, India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Thailand, Japan, Sri Lanka, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Peru, New Zealand and Canada.

         The  gathering is expected to reach a decision on whether Colombia and Britain should be granted the status of observer countries in the WPNS.

         The delegations will also discuss the Code for Unalerted Encounters at Sea (CUES), which is aimed at preventing incidents at sea.

         They are also expected to promote officer exchange visits in a bid to foster closer relations among naval officers.

          The symposium is themed, "Maritime Partnership For Stability in Western Pacific Region." The 16th WPNS will be organized in Busan, South Korea.

         The WPNS was founded in Sydney, Australia, in 1988. Its first members included  Australia, Indonesia, Brunei, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

         On the sidelines of the Padang symposium, Supandi is scheduled to hold separate bilateral meetings with delegations from 14 countries, including the United States, China, Japan and Vietnam. 
    In the meantime, West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno hoped that the Komodo Exercise would help promote the province as a peaceful and friendly tourist destination.

         "A total of 36 countries are participating in the event. We hope they would promote the beauty of West Sumatra in their countries, so that more tourists come here," Prayitno stated in the opening ceremony.

         The province should be able to utilize the momentum offered by the event to boost its tourism industry, the governor noted. ***1***
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(T.F001/A/BESSR/A/Yosep) 13-04-2016 23:53:16