TNI PREPARES WARSHIP FOR UN PEACE MISSION

Jakarta. Nov 22 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Military (TNI) headquarters is preparing the Indonesian warship KRI Frans Kasiepo for joining the United Nations Peace Mission Maritime Task Force in South Lebanon (Maritime Task Force/UNIFIL MTF).

"We have prepared the ship for the continuation of our military participation in the UN Maritime Task Force in South Lebanon," Operations Assistant to the TNI chief Maj. Gen. Supiadin said in Jakarta, Sunday.

KRI Frans Kasiepo and KRI Diponegoro-365 are of the same type of warships, while a Dutch Sigma Class Corvette arrived in Indonesia late in 2008, and all met NATO and UN peace mission standards.

But, KRI Frans Kasiepo's departure is still awaiting the result of negotiations between the Indonesian Government and the related UN agencies on sailing cost from Indonesia to Lebanon, he said.

Earlier, Indonesia sent KRI Diponegoro-365 to join the United Nations Peace Mission Maritime Task Force in South Lebanon, for six months.

"The UN highly appreciated Indonesia's participation in the UN maritime task force, and has asked Indonesia send another warship, and we have prepared one for the purpose. However, we are still asking for a UN special sailing policy," Supiadin said.

He said that the cost of a one-way trip reached at least Rp9 billion, while Indonesia had asked the UN for a specific policy in view of a memorandum of understanding saying that the sailing cost is to be paid by the country in question.

"Other countries such as Belgium, Greece and Germany do not pay such cost because they are located close to Lebanon, whereas it takes us two months to get to Lebanon. We mind if we still have to pay the saling cost. We are still discussing the matter with the UN, and I hope the UN would issue a special policy for Indonesia," Supiadin said.