Indonesian Air Force deploys personnel to secure Asian-African Conference

The Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) has deployed 1.3 thousand personnel to secure the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Asian-African Conference (AAC 2015) being held on April 19-24, in Jakarta and Bandung (West Java).

"The security at Ring-1 is handled by the TNI-AU, so we have deployed our personnel there, while Ring-2 and Ring-3 will be handled by the Police and Army personnel," Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Agus Supriatna remarked after leading a ceremony to mark the 69th anniversary of TNI-AU at the Halim Perdanakusuma Military Airbase on Thursday.

He noted that the Air Force personnel will be responsible for securing Ring-1 at numerous locations in Jakarta and Bandung, West Java.

Agus remarked that the airspace over Jakarta and Bandung should be sterilized an hour before and after the state guests from other countries arrive in Indonesia to attend the AAC.

Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi stated during a national seminar on "Bandung Conference and Beyond 2015" at the Gadjah Mada State University in Yogyakarta on Wednesday that the AAC 2015 is expected to strengthen solidarity among countries in Asia and Africa in the fight against poverty and conflicts.

"It is expected to create a new hope for uniting Asian and African countries in their efforts to alleviate poverty, conflicts, wars, and transnational crimes," Retno said.

She hoped that a discussion forum can be organized during the event to strengthen partnership in the areas of politics, socio-culture, and economic affairs between member countries.

The results of the discussion could later be implemented through concrete cooperation programs between countries in the two regions, she emphasized.

Similar to other countries, Indonesia could not work single-handedly to fight various national and transnational problems. By strengthening partnership with Asia-Africa countries, Indonesia will be able to contribute more to the world, she pointed out.

Source: ANTARA