TNI-AN (Indonesia air Force) Flanker Aquirement crisis…….

Sell All F-16s, Buy Sukhois, Say MPs
Antara – The Indonesian National News Agency, July 5, 2003

Cairo, July 5 (ANTARA) – Some members of the Indonesian Parliament (DPR) are of the opinion that Indonesia should sell all US-made F-16 jet fighters it owns and replace them with Russian-made Sukhoi aircraft.

According to the parliamentarians, the military embargo on Indonesia by the United States and its allies were hurting the feelings of the Indonesian people as a nation.

The statements were made by Alvin Lie, member of the National Mandate Party (PAN) in a gathering with the Indonesian community in Egypt here recently.

Alvien Lie was one of a seven-member Indonesian parliamentary delegation who made a three-day visit to Egypt until Friday.

According to Alvin Lie, Indonesia which is struggling to maintain its territorial integrity against the so-called Aceh rebel movement (GAM), has got problem with the operation of the F-16 jet fighters because of the American embargo.

“That’s why I said that Indonesia had better sell out all its F-16 jet fighters, and have them changed by the Russian Sukhoi planes”, Alvin Lie said.

Indonesian Ambassador to Egypt, Prof.Dr. Bachtiar Aly, MA, acted as moderator in the discussion which was attended mostly by Indonesian students in Egypt, along with the Indonesian community in general and the Embassy staff.

Alvin Lie pointed out that Indonesia had planned to buy Sukhoi jet fighters as of year 1997 but was then postponed to the economic crisis.

National Identity

Alvin Lie pointed out that the Indonesian national identity and self-esteem seemed to have been harassed because of the hurting military embargo.

“I think it is an appropriate decision for us to use Sukhoi for our air defence system. This is necessary to build our national defence without being dictated by outside forces”, Alvin Lie said.

However, Alvin Lie regretted the fact that the purchase of Sukhoi jet fighters had involved Industries and Trade Minister Rini Soewandi and the State Logistics Board (Bulog).

According to Alvin Lie, the purchase of Sukhoi jet fighters should have involved only the Ministry of Defence and the Indonesian National defence Forces (TNI).

During his three-day visit to Egypt, Alvin Lie and his team members had a meeting with Speaker of the Egyptian Parliament, Dr. Fathi Sourur and Speaker of the Egyptian Congress Dr. Moustafa Helmy.

Other members of parliament joining the Egyptian visit were Ismangoen Notosapoutro of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Paulus Widyanto of PDIP, KH Endang Zainal Abidin of the Development Unity Party (PPP), KH Nadher Muhammad of PPP, KH Abdul Kadir Zailani of the Daulat Umat (Islamic Community’s Sovereignty) Party (PDU) and Tanti Sumartini, the delegation’s secretary.