ASPAC MILITARY CHIEFS AGREE TO COOPERATE IN DISASTER MITIGATION

Jakarta, Nov 2 (ANTARA) - The military chiefs of 24 Asia-Pacific countries have agreed to enhance cooperation in tackling the effects of natural disasters and epidemic diseases, an Indonesian military official said.

The agreement was reached at the 12th Chiefs of Defence (CHOD) Conference in Hawaii, United States, last October 26-29, Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) Chief Gen Djoko Santoso said here Monday.

"Several issues were discussed in the forum, including post-disaster management and ways to tackle epidemic diseases," Djoko said, adding that the three-day meeting also agreed to improve cooperation in anti-piracy operations.

Meanwhile, the commander of the US Pacific Command (PACOM), Robert Willard, at the meeting shared PACOM's experience in helping to handle the impact of natural disasters in Samoa and Tonga which were struck by tsunami several months ago.

"For cooperation in handling such disasters, the militaries of Asia Pacific countries should maintain personal relationships that allow them to pick up the telephone when a disaster occurs, and speak to a counterpart, and count on their mutual friendship to generate mutual action," Willard said, according to Djoko.

The meeting also discussed ways to eradicate sea piracy which had posed major problems to several countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Nations attending this year's CHOD conference included Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, France, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Tonga, Vietnam, and the United States.


Programs for TNI
During the CHOD event in Hawai, TNI chief Djoko Santoso also held bilateral meetings with the military chiefs of the US and South Korea.

"The two countries offered educational and training programs for TNI personnel," said Djoko, adding that at these meetings the TNI's primary weaponry defense system needs were also discussed. ***4***
(A051/B/HAJM/B003)