"I support the decision to conduct a joint exercise between TNI AD and the US Army. This is important for sharing of experiences and fostering synergy as well as mutual understanding in an effort to realize global peace," Hasan noted in his statement here on Friday.
The MPR vice chairman asserted that realizing world peace is a Constitutional mandate.
To this end, he believes any effort and participation by Indonesia in preserving world peace is inevitable, especially for the National Defense Forces (TNI) that serves as the nation's guardian.
Hasan deems this joint exercise as being especially important in the wake of growing tensions over the South China Sea conflict.
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He remarked that in this scenario, Indonesia should always be prepared to face every possibility, much like the classic adage "si vis pacem, para bellum" which means "if you want peace, prepare for war".
"This is the logical consequence if the nation's sovereignty is threatened by one-sided coercion from other nations," Hasan affirmed.
He noted that Indonesia has espoused a free and active foreign policy wherein a nation has the right to determine its own fate in response to global developments.
To this end, Hasan believes that the joint military exercise between TNI AD and US Army should be viewed as a form of collective solidarity in protecting navigational freedom, preserving global peace, and appreciation to the international law.
The joint military exercise is being conducted at TNI AD's War Exercise Centers (Puslatpung) in Martapura (South Sumatra), Amborawang (Balikpapan), and Makasilung (Manado), from August 1 to August 14, 2021.
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Translator: Imam Budilaksono, Fadhli R
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
