January 7 2012, Jakarta: Relations between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) is in jeopardy following a jet interception incident in Indonesian air territory in November last year.
The issue emerged as PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has threatened to expel Indonesian Ambassador Andreas Sitepu from Port Moresby, a report by radioasutralianews.net.au unveiled on Friday.
He said that two Indonesian Military (TNI) aircraft almost collided with a jet carrying PNG Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah and senior government officials who were returning from Malaysia.
Namah said that the TNI aircraft were acting aggressively with an intention to intimidate.
"I am very angry. I demand an explanation. If I do not get an explanation within 48 hours, all diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea will be strained," he said.
He said that he has already spoken to the Indonesian ambassador. "And if this means we have to get the ambassador to leave this country and withdraw our ambassador from Jakarta, we will do so," he said.
The Indonesian government defended the action, saying that it was in line with procedures, with no intention to put the jet in jeopardy.
"On Jan. 6 evening, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa has summoned Papua New Guinea Ambassador for Indonesia Peter Ilau to explain the interception that was conducted due to technical problem in clearance flight," the Foreign Ministry said in a press statement.
It said that the step by the TNI Air Force to intercept the PNG jet was in line with procedures existing in Indonesia and in other countries in common.
"The action taken by the Commando of National Air Defense ( KOHANUDNAS) was conducting electronic identification with radar and visual identification by an interception based on standard procedures," said the ministry.
It said that the action was taken as there was a data difference between KOHANUDNAS' flight clearance with the airport's radar identification and KOHANUDNAS' radar identification.
"(However), the interception conducted by TNI Air Force's aircraft was in line with procedures and never jeopardized the jet, " it said.
The statement added that Ambassador Ilau has appreciated Natalegawa's explanation and would pass on the message to his government.
Teuku Faizasyah, Indonesian presidential spokesperson for foreign relations, told Beritasatu.com online news reported that Natalegawa has reported the progress to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
Source: XINHUA
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