"As the co-chair in the joint exercise, Japan has sent a war ship, a helicopter, and supporting personnel as well as experts from civilians as well as military," Brigadier General I Wayan Midhio, head of the defense ministry`s communication and information center, said here Monday.
However, when entering Indonesia`s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Japan had to recall the warship and helicopter, and only sent civilian and military experts to join the table top exercises, he said.
"While for the joint exercises in the field, Japan has mobilized limited military equipment. However, the cuts will not affect the activities during the joint exercises," he stated.
Vice President Boediono is scheduled to officially kick off the ARF Direx 2011 in Manado.
Th activity is being participated in by 3,550 participants from 26 countries.
Indonesian Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono on Sunday (March 13) said, "We fully understand the Japanese government`s request (to withdraw from participation in the event) on account of the massive natural disaster in Japan."
He said the ARF-Direx would run as scheduled despite the massive 8.9-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami engulfing Japan as co-chair of the international event.
The minister said the Indonesian government was ready to assist Japan in overcoming the impact of last Friday`s quake and tsunami.
The Indonesian government would continue to coordinate with the Japanese government particularly to see what appropriate assistance Indonesia could provide to Japan, he said.
Besides food assistance, Indonesia was also prepared to provide Japan with medical workers, including doctors and nurses, he said.(*)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
