GOVT HOPES FOREIGN WARSHIPS TAKE PART IN AMBON SAIL

Manado, N Sulawesi, Aug 20 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government hoped that foreign warships, yachts and fighter planes which took part in the Bunaken Sail this month would also take part in next year's Ambon Sail in Maluku province.

"Sail Ambon will be held in 2010 and the plan has been approved by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. We will do our best to make the event a maximum success," Marine and Fisheries Affairs Minister Freddy Numberi said here on Thursday.

Indonesia is now holding a Sail Bunaken from August 12 to 20 in North Sulawesi province which is joined by warships, jet fighters and yachts from many countries.

The Sail Bunaken event presented such activities as sailing and a flight pass, city marches, international seminars and other activities which brought a positive impact on local and international communities.

Minister Freddy Numberi said the government was optimistic that the Ambon Sail event next year would serve as a good momentum with the presence of tens of warships from various countries.

The government has also decided to hold a warships parade in West Nusa Tenggara province (NTB) in 2012 while the location of such event in 2011 has not yet been decided.

Aircraft carriers expected to take part in Ambon Sail included USS George Washington, USS Cowpens CG-63, Fitzgerald DDG 61, Mustin DDG 89 and MeCambel DDG 85, of the United States.

Warship KRI Sultan Hasanudin of Indonesia, Phuttaloetia Naphalai FF and Rattanakosin FS441 of Thailand, HMS Echo and INS Khurkri P49 of Britain, KD Kedah 171 and KD Tunas Samudera of Malaysia, Manuel L Quezon PS 70 of the Philippines, RSS Tenacious and RSS Darling of Singapore are also scheduled to take part in the Ambon Sail.

Australia will send Coast Guard Triton and India INS Airavat. Japan meanwhile will send the JDS Kashima, JDS Shimayuki and JDS Yuugiri.

Other warships which will take part in the event are Guang Zhou of China, ROK's Choi Yougn DDH, Dae Cheong of Korea, PNS Zulkiquar of Pakistan, FS La Somme of France, HMNZS Canbterbury of New Zealand and some Indonesian warships.