Indonesia considering UN request to send troops to Darfur

September 21, 2007 (JAKARTA) — Indonesia is still considering a United Nations request for sending troops to Darfur region in southern Sudan, a senior official said.

“We are still considering the request and will discuss it at a ministerial coordinating meeting on political, security and legal affairs,” Antara news agency quoted Defense Minister Juwiono Sudarsono as saying here on Friday.

He said he still had to ascertain the readiness and availability of personnel as well as the weaponry needed for the mission before deciding to send troops there.

Indonesia is now involved in UN peace-keepig missions in Congo and Lebanon.

“Besides, our military (TNI) is now still much needed at home to carry out emergency response efforts following recent natural disasters. So, before sending troops to Darfur, Indonesia will still see the readiness and availability of personnel, weaponry and domestic need,” he said.

Indonesia would also consider the African Union troops’ needs and readiness with regard to peacekeeping efforts in the region that has been ravaged by violence over the past four years, he said.

Meanwhile, the head of the TNI Headquarters’ information center, Rear Admiral Sagom Tamboen, said the TNI was ready to take part in the peacekeeping mission in Darfur, “if requested”.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda earlier has said Indonesia was hoping the deployment of AU-UN troops in Darfur could be carried out this year.

(Xinhua)