RI CONDUCTS MILITARY EXERCISE WITH 21 OTHER COUNTRIES

Bandung, West Java, June 16 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) is conducting a joint military exercise with 21 other nations to intensify cooperation and professionalism in United Nations (UN) missions.

The joint military exercise, codenamed "Garuda Shield 2009", was officially launched by TNI Chief General Djoko Santoso at the Army's Infantry Education Center at Cipatat here on Tuesday.

The exercise, sponsored the US Pacific Command (USPACOM,) is the third held in Asia.

The first joint military exercise was organized in Mongolia under the codename "Khan Quest" (2007),and the second in Bangladesh under the codename "Santi Dhoot" (2008).

"Garuda Shield" is implemented in two stages, namely a command post rehearsal (June 16-22), and a field rehearsal (June 22-29). The command post rehearsal is being participated in by nine countries, and the field rehearsal will be joined by 12 countries.

The participating countries include the the United States, Japan, Australia, South Korea, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Thailand and several other Asian countries.

The exercise is aimed at increasing solidarity in the implementation of UN missions, especially among troop contributing countries (TCC).

At the launching of the exercise, an exhibition of main defense equipment system made by state arms industry PT Pindad was held.

General Djoko Santoso said the exercise was aimed at optimizing cooperation among troop contributing countries to UN missions, following complex strategic environmental developments marked by among other things the global financial crisis, swine flu pandemic, terrorism, transnational crimes, and border conflicts.

"Those issues force us to establish cooperation in dealing with the issues to create regional security especially in Asia and the Pacific," he said.

Meanwhile, USPACOM Representative Major General Miyagi expressed his gratitude to the Indonesian government for hosting the joint military exercise of UN peace-keeping troops.