Indonesian govt urged to immediately issue decision on status of Namru-2

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The government of Indonesia has been urged to immediately issue a decision on the status of the US Naval Medical Research Unit 2 (Namru-2) in this world`s largest archipelagic country.
The appeal came from Mutammimul Ula, a member of the House`s Commission I handling political, defence and press affairs of the Prosperous Justice Party faction, calling on the government to make a decision on whether to extend or to terminate the contract with Namru-2 in Indonesia.
"The 30-year contract on the presence of Namru-2 often considered controversial had already expired. In the meantime, a polemic on the pros and cons regarding to Namru-2 continue to flow like the a stream of water. Hence the government should make up its mind and issue a decision," he said on the sidelines of the House`s Commission I hearing with Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda here on Monday.
Mutammimul agreed with Minister Hasan Wirajuda that a contract with another countries should meet four conditions - politically peaceful, technically secured, legally secured, and security guaranteed including on the continuity of Namru-2 in Indonesia.
"Whatever the government`s decision on Namru-2, it needs to be made as long as the short and long term national interest is not put at stake," he said.
In response to this comment, Minister Hassan Wirajuda said the government of Indonesia was currently studying the US proposal over a new Memorandum of Undestanding submitted by Indonesia last year with regard to Namru-2`s status.
Most important was that the government has yet to determine its position to the US proposal without specifying its details.

In the MoU, Indonesia made a review of the past regulation to avoid possible use of the old regulation. Following an inter-departmental meeting, the government agreed to revise the principles of Indonesia`s cooperation with Namru-2.
The government has proposed a new MoU in November 2007, while Health Minister Siti Fadillah Supari some time ago said even Namru-2 already conducted a research of infection diseases since the 1970s, the results of Namru-2 reseach had yet to give a positive impact on the development of infectious disease eradication in Indonesia.
But earlier, Minister Siti Fadilah said the government`s decision on whether or not the US Naval Medical Research Unit-2 would be allowed to say stay somewhat longer in the country would depend on a recommendation of the House of Representatives (DPR).
"The question is now still undecided. The US has sent us its revised proposal and we have yet to consider it. But the key to this problem is in the hands of the DPR. The DPR represents the people. If the people wants NAMRU-2 to stay somewhat longer, so be it," Health Minister Siti Fadilah said during a hearing with Ad Hoc Committee IV of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) in Jakarta last week.
But even if the government and parliament eventually agreed to continue the cooperation with NAMRU-2, it should be carried out on the basis of the relevant Indonesian laws on international cooperation, she said.
"And it is my understanding that Indonesia always cooperates with other countries with due respect to its active and independent foreign policy, its own laws and in ways benefiting its people," Siti said.
The government not long ago expressed its intention to renew its agreement with Washington on NAMRU-2`s presence and operations in Indonesia.
In the meantime, Joserizal Junalis of the Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) and Munarman of An Nashr Institute appealed to the government not to extend its cooperation with the US Naval Medical Research Institute.
In their statements, they said presence of Namru-2 in Indonesia for over 30 years now was reported to have failed to benefit the people. An agreement between the Indonesian and US governments on Namru-2 operations reached on January 16, 1970, was believed to have caused a loss to Indonesia because of the diplomatic immunity granted to the Namru-2 staff members, their tax exemption and free accommodation.
Namru-2 was also believed to have violated the cooperation, because they had been continuing their research work although their contract had expired.
More saddening, Namru-2 was also reported to be lacking in transparency of their information for the Indonesian government and that their operations were allegedly linked to US intelligence operations in Indonesia.
Denying all these allegations, the US embassy in Jakarta in its defence stressed that Namru-2 was a transparent organization which only conducted medical and scientific research work focusing on tropical diseases.
The biomedical research laboratory of Namru-2, according to the US embassy, conducted a series of research work on infectious diseases to serve the interest of the US and the Indonesian health ministry as well as the health of the international community. (*)

Antara, Selasa, 24 Juni 2008