Indonesian Military Personnel Ready To Safeguard AAC: Commander

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Military personnel are well prepared to safeguard the implementation of the upcoming Asia-Africa Conference (AAC) 2015, according to Chief of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) General Moeldoko.

"To secure the AAC, thank God, we have conducted a technical force game (TFG). Every step was well simulated," Moeldoko revealed here, Tuesday.

The TNI will deploy 26,663 officers in addition to 9.7 thousand police personnel. With the participation and involvement of the Indonesian society, the general is optimistic that the AAC will be implemented smoothly and successfully.

Moeldoko gave assurance that the security officers will guard the world leaders participating in the AAC. In the meantime, the Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) has deployed 1.3 thousand personnel to secure the 60th anniversary celebrations of the AAC 2015.

"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. (WDY)