Robert Go, Jakarta – Already testy ties between Washington and Jakarta could suffer further strain following revelations yesterday of a naval incident in the waters around Maluku Islands last week involving two Indonesian warships and an American destroyer.
The Indonesian navy's KRI Rencong and KRI Pandrong intercepted the Tomahawk missile-equipped USS O'Brien on October 21 near Seram Island, and, according to a naval spokesman, "drove the intruder out of our territorial waters".
"American ships that enter Indonesian territory should always ask for permission first, regardless of the reason," Lt-Colonel Ditya Soedarsono of the Eastern Naval Command told the Antara national news agency.
Rear-Admiral Djoko Sumaryono, who oversees naval security for the eastern territories, was also quoted as saying that a vessel owned by an Indonesian businessman had tried to approach the USS O'Brien moments before the interception by the KRI Rencong and KRI Pandrong.
His comments appeared to be aimed at giving weight to charges by some politicians and government officials here, who believe that Washington and other "outside interests" could be promoting unrest in some of Indonesia's troubled regions, including Maluku, Aceh and West Papua.
"But Indonesia has warships that are sophisticated enough to detect the presence of foreign ships trying to enter our waters," Rear-Adm Djoko added.
Antara reported that the presence of the US warship in the area coincided with the working visit of US Consul-General Robert Pollard to Ambon, capital of Maluku, to seek data on recent conflicts in the city.
But US Embassy officials yesterday downplayed the significance of the naval encounter and maintained that the USS O'Brien did not violate any regulations. "It's much ado about nothing," Defence Attache Colonel Joseph Daves told The Straits Times.
Embassy press secretary Karl Fritz added that although the USS O'Brien was in Indonesian waters, it never strayed from international sea channels. He added that the ship went on it way after encountering the two Indonesian naval ships.
Anti-American sentiments have been growing in recent weeks here in the wake of the conflict between Israeli troops and Palestinians in the Middle East as Washington's support for the Jewish state had been condemned by Muslim groups.
Concerns about safety following threats made against the US Embassy prompted the US State Department to announce that it would stop public consular services in Jakarta for the rest of the week.
US Ambassador Robert Gelbard has also been accused previously by legislators of meddling in Indonesia's domestic affairs. In fact, Defence Minister Mohammad Mahfud said that Mr Gelbard tried to influence the outcome of this month's reshuffle of command positions in the army.
Separately, the outspoken Mr Mahfud also suggested last week that US citizen Aaron Maness, who was deported on Monday, was involved in espionage activities in Irian Jaya. "When it comes to defence, security and the country's territorial integrity, I have to speak out for the people's aspirations," Mr Mahfud told reporters.
Reflecting some of the strong sentiment prevailing here against the US was Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina, who said that foreign interference was not needed to resolve any local conflict. The government and the Indonesian military were well able to settle such issues, he told reporters.