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Friday, January 7, 2011

Pejuang Gaza Serang Prajurit Israel

Gaza (ANTARA News) - Sedikit-dikitnya empat prajurit Israel cedera dalam bentrokan dengan pejuang Palestina di dekat perbatasan Jalur Gaza, Jumat, kata pers Israel.

Penduduk di Jalur Gaza menyatakan, mereka melihat sejumlah orang bersenjata mendekati perbatasan dan terdengar suara tembakan dan rudal yang diluncurkan ke Israel.

Belum ada laporan segera mengenai korban di pihak Palestina dalam bentrokan tersebut.

Penduduk Gaza juga melaporkan mendengar suara tembakan dari helikopter meriam Israel namun sasarannya belum diketahui.

Militer Israel menyatakan, mereka masih menyelidiki laporan tersebut.

Itu merupakan yang terakhir dari serangkaian bentrokan antara pasukan Israel dan pejuang Palestina dari Jalur Gaza. Pada Rabu, pasukan Israel membunuh dua orang Palestina di sebuah daerah berdekatan di perbatasan ketika mereka berusaha memasuki Israel, kata seorang juru bicara militer.

Pejuang Gaza menembakkan puluhan mortir dan roket ke Israel selatan dalam beberapa bulan terakhir, yang menimbulkan kerusakan dan mencederai ringan sejumlah orang.

Israel membalas dengan serangan udara ke sasaran-sasaran yang mereka sebut tempat latihan, fasilitas senjata dan terowongan penyelundupan.

Selasa malam, angkatan udara Israel menyerang dua sasaran di Gaza sebagai pembalasan atas serangan roket pejuang Palestina pada pagi hari, yang merusak beberapa rumah kaca di Israel selatan.

Hamas yang menguasai Jalur Gaza menyatakan, mereka melaksanakan gencatan senjata de fakto dengan Israel sejak akhir perang 22 hari pada Januari 2009.

Serangan-serangan sejak itu menurun secara berarti, meski lebih dari 200 roket dan mortir yang sebagian besar rakitan ditembakkan ke Israel sejak awal 2010, kata militer Israel.

Israel meluncurkan perang 22 hari di Jalur Gaza dua tahun lalu dengan tujuan menghentikan serangan-serangan roket dan mortir yang hampir setiap hari ke negara Yahudi tersebut.

Jalur Gaza, kawasan pesisir yang padat penduduk, diblokade oleh Israel dan Mesir setelah Hamas berkuasa hampir tiga tahun lalu.

Israel menggempur habis-habisan Jalur Gaza dua tahun lalu dengan dalih untuk menghentikan penembakan roket yang hampir setiap hari ke wilayah negara Yahudi tersebut.

Perang di dan sekitar Gaza meletus lagi setelah gencatan senjata enam bulan berakhir pada 19 Desember 2008.

Israel membalas penembakan roket pejuang Palestina ke negara Yahudi tersebut dengan melancarkan gempuran udara besar-besaran dan serangan darat ke Gaza dalam perang tidak sebanding yang mendapat kecaman dan kutukan dari berbagai penjuru dunia.

Operasi "Cast Lead" Israel itu, yang menewaskan lebih dari 1.400 orang Palestina yang mencakup ratusan warga sipil dan menghancurkan sejumlah besar daerah di jalur pesisir tersebut, diklaim bertujuan mengakhiri penembakan roket dari Gaza. Tiga-belas warga Israel, sepuluh dari mereka prajurit, tewas selama perang itu.

Proses perdamaian Timur Tengah macet sejak konflik itu, dan Jalur Gaza yang dikuasai Hamas masih tetap diblokade oleh Israel.

Kelompok Hamas menguasai Jalur Gaza pada Juni tahun 2007 setelah mengalahkan pasukan Fatah yang setia pada Presiden Palestina Mahmoud Abbas dalam pertempuran mematikan selama beberapa hari.

Sejak itu wilayah pesisir miskin tersebut dibloklade oleh Israel. Palestina pun menjadi dua wilayah kesatuan terpisah -- Jalur Gaza yang dikuasai Hamas dan Tepi Barat yang berada di bawah pemerintahan Abbas.

Uni Eropa, Israel dan AS memasukkan Hamas ke dalam daftar organisasi teroris.
(M014/A038)
ANTARA

Indonesia Jadi Hub Jaringan "Peacekeeping Centers"

 
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Pemerintah Indonesia berupaya menjadi hub bagi jaringan pusat penjaga perdamaian di kawasan pada 2011 sebagai salah satu wujud komitmen pada pemeliharaan perdamaian dunia serta salah satu dari 20 negara pengirim pasukan perdamaian terbesar PBB.

"Dalam isu operasi pemeliharaan perdamaian, Indonesia aktif berkontribusi pada pengembangan konsep strategis penggelaran misi pemeliharaan perdamaian dunia. Pada tahun 2011, Indonesia akan berupaya menjadi hub bagi jaringan peacekeeping centers di kawasan," kata Menlu Marty Natalegawa dalam Pernyataan Pers Tahunan di Gedung Kementerian Luar Negeri, Jakarta, Jumat.

Ia mengatakan bahwa sepanjang 2010, Indonesia telah mengirim sekitar 1.785 personil di tujuh misi PBB sebagai cerminan komitmen dalam pemeliharaan perdamaian dunia. Dengan demikian, Indonesia merupakan salah satu dari 20 negara pengirim pasukan perdamaian PBB terbesar.

"Ke depan, diplomasi Indonesia akan terus menampilkan kesiapan Indonesia meningkatkan kontribusinya dalam misi perdamaian PBB untuk menjadi sepuluh negara penyumbang terbesar pasukan PBB," katanya.

Menurut Menlu, peningkatan kontribusi pasukan Indonesia tidak hanya terlihat dalam jumlah personil, melainkan juga dalam penambahan unit. Indonesia telah mengirimkan KRI Kaisiepo pada Agustus 2010 untuk bergabung dalam Maritime Task Force (MTF) UNIFIL. Hal itu adalah partisipasi kedua setelah KRI Diponegoro yang bergabung dengan MTF pada bulan April-September 2009.

Indonesia, kata Menlu, juga terus mendorong peningkatan peran sipil atau White Helmet untuk mendukung berbagai program pembangunan dan rehabilitasi wilayah pasca konflik bersenjata. Namun hal ini dilakukan dengan senantiasa mengedepankan kepemilikan nasional negara terkait.

Selain berupaya meningkatkan kontribusi pada pasukan penjaga perdamaian, dalam upayanya menciptakan keamanan dan perdamaian internasional, Indonesia, kata Menlu, Indonesia juga memainkan peran sentral dalam isu perlucutan senjata nuklir guna mewujudkan dunia tanpa senjata nuklir.

"Keputusan Indonesia untuk memulai proses ratifikasi Traktat Pelarangan Menyeluruh Uji coba Senjata Nuklir/CTBT telah mendapatkan sambutan sangat positif oleh masyarakat internasional. Pada 2011 ini, Indonesia Insya Allah dapat merampungkan proses ratifikasi tersebut dan akan mendorong berbagai pihak agar traktat CTBT tersebut dapat segera diimplementasikan," katanya.

Pernyataan pers tahunan Menlu itu dihadiri oleh antara lain Dr. Alwi Shibab (Menlu periode 1999-2001), Dr. N. Hassan Wirajuda (Menlu periode 2001-2009), Joop Ave (Menparpostel periode 1993-1998), Agus Gumiwang (Wakil Ketua Komisi I DPR RI) dan Sidharto Danusubroto (Wakil Ketua BKSAP DPR RI) serta sedikitnya 340 undangan dari kalangan media, diplomatik, akademisi, instansi pemerintah serta pejabat Kemlu.
(G003/B013/A038)
ANTARA

Militer Israel Akui Salah Bunuh Warga Sipil Palestina

Hebron (ANTARA News) - Pasukan Israel di Hebron (Al-Khalil) menembak mati seorang warga sipil tua Palestina, Jumat, dalam insiden salah identifikasi ketika mereka mencari seorang tahanan Hamas yang dibebaskan sehari sebelumnya.

Militer Israel mengungkapkan penyesalan atas pembunuhan itu dan seorang juru bicara mengakui bahwa pria yang berusia 67 tahun itu adalah warga sipil tidak bersalah yang tinggal di rumah yang sama dengan yang ditempati anggota Hamas yang dicari itu.

Beberapa saksi dan pejabat keamanan Palestina mengatakan, penembakan itu terjadi di dalam sebuah bangunan apartemen di Hebron pusat ketika pasukan mencari satu dari lima tahanan yang dibebaskan dari penjara kota itu pada Kamis.

Korban tewas adalah Omar Kawasme, dan anggota-anggota keluarganya mengatakan bahwa pria itu paman dari Wael al-Bitar, tahanan Hamas yang diburu Israel.

Dalam pernyataan kepada AFP, Rajaeh Kawasme, putra dari korban tewas, mengatakan, pasukan memasuki rumah itu ketika ibunya sedang berdoa dan ayahnya tidur. Pasukan mengunci wanita itu di dalam sebuah ruangan lain, kemudian menembaki ayahnya di tempat tidurnya.

"Mereka membunuhnya dengan darah dingin dengan 13 peluru di kepalanya, bahkan tanpa memeriksa identitasnya," katanya kepada AFP. "Setelah membunuhnya, mereka meminta kartu pengenalnya."

"Mereka berpikir Bitar tinggal di apartemen ini sehingga mereka menembak ayahnya tanpa memastikan identitasnya," tambah putra korban itu.

Pasukan Israel mengakui bahwa Kawasme dibunuh karena kekeliruan oleh pasukan yang mencari Bitar, seorang anggota sayap bersenjata Hamas yang kata mereka diburu karena terlibat dalam sejumlah serangan bom bunuh diri.

Militer menyatakan telah menangkap lagi kelima tahanan Hamas itu pada Kamis malam, termasuk Bitar, yang dituduh terlibat dalam perencanaan serangan-serangan bunuh diri, termasuk yang menewaskan seorang wanita Israel dan melukai 10 orang di kota Dimona, Israel selatan, pada 2008.

Pembunuhan menjelang fajar pada Jumat itu menyulut amarah dari gerakan Hamas yang menguasai Jalur Gaza, dan seorang juru bicara menyalahkan Pemerintah Palestina yang dipimpin Presiden Mahmoud Abbas di Tepi Barat.

"Hamas menganggap Pemerintah Palestina bertanggung jawab, bersama pasukan pendudukan, atas kejahatan ini," kata Sami Abu Zuhri pada jumpa pers.

Kelompok Hamas menguasai Jalur Gaza pada Juni tahun 2007 setelah mengalahkan pasukan Fatah yang setia pada Presiden Palestina Mahmoud Abbas dalam pertempuran mematikan selama beberapa hari.

Sejak itu wilayah pesisir miskin tersebut dibloklade oleh Israel. Palestina pun menjadi dua wilayah kesatuan terpisah -- Jalur Gaza yang dikuasai Hamas dan Tepi Barat yang berada di bawah pemerintahan Abbas.

ANTARA

South Korean Defense Unveils White Paper 2010

South Korean Defense Unveils White Paper 2010


Defense & Security News — By KoreanInformation on January 7, 2011 4:39 am 
 North Korea's forces now number more than 200,000 men, an increase of 20,000 compared to 2008, the South Korean Ministry of Defense said on Dec. 30 in its biennial white paper.
The paper also said that the North now has 4,100 tanks, 200 more than 2008, and has constantly been developing new submarine models as well as ballistic missiles and chemical warfare agents to upgrade its capabilities in asymmetric warfare.
"We have explained overall South Korean defense policy in detail regarding security conditions including North Korean threat, basis for defense policy, omnidirectional military combat readiness, period adjustment to the wartime operational command transition and defense reform," said Chang Gwang-il, deputy minister for policy at the ministry. "As the military unveils more transparent defense to the public, we expect that people can gain deep understanding and trust toward the military."
The white paper said that North Korean special forces could infiltrate rear region of South Korea and attack major targets, assassinate key figures and stir the region.
The number of North Korean Special Operations troops rose to 180,000 in 2008 from 120,000 in 2006, the paper said. It also said most of tanks among additional 200 are believed to be used weapons.
The paper clearly stated that the North Korean regime and its military are enemies of South Korea as long as they keep on practicing provocations and threats like the sinking of Cheonan and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island.
Related to defense reform, the paper included specific way of reforming defense structure and defense operational system to an advanced level in order to build 21-century advanced military capabilities.
In addition, the white paper made clear that Dokdo Island is undeniably belongs to South Korean territory by showing photos and maps related to the island.
The paper is the second one to be released in Lee Myung-bak administration and it is the 19th paper since it was first published in 1967. It will be distributed to the National Assembly, media institutions, government offices, educational institutions and libraries across the nation to make people understand the reality of national defense.
The whole context of the paper will also be updated online on the Defense Ministry homepage at www.mnd.go.kr. 

DEFENCE TALK

China rejects report of nuclear policy shift

China rejects report of nuclear policy shift


Nuclear Weapons News — By Agence France-Presse on January 7, 2011 5:16 am 
 China on Thursday strongly denied reports that it would consider a pre-emptive nuclear strike if it had no other way to defend itself against a nuclear-armed state -- a move that would be a shift in policy.
"Since the very first day that China possessed nuclear weapons, the Chinese government made a solemn pledge to never be the first to use nuclear weapons at any time under any circumstances," foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.
"China has been living up to this promise. The relevant report is totally groundless."
Japan's Kyodo News quoted Chinese documents as saying that the military would "adjust" this policy if another nuclear state conducted air strikes against Chinese targets "with absolutely superior conventional weapons."
US military experts have argued since around 2007 that Beijing may have shown signs of altering its pledge not to use nuclear weapons first, the report said.
But in a sign of warming ties as the region contends with the threat of a nuclear-armed North Korea, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates is scheduled to arrive in China on Sunday.
Gates will visit at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, one year after Beijing broke off military relations with Washington in protest against a multibillion-dollar US arms package for rival Taiwan.

DEFENCE TALK

Royal Navy Frigate Continues to Support French Carrier in Gulf

Royal Navy Frigate Continues to Support French Carrier in Gulf

Navy News, News — By UK Ministry of Defence on January 7, 2011 5:49 am 
 HMS Cumberland has continued her operations over the Christmas and New Year period in support of the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle by escorting her through the Strait of Hormuz early Boxing Day morning (26 December 2010).
While most people in Britain were sleeping off the Christmas Day excess, HMS Cumberland led the French carrier group through the vital Strait of Hormuz and into the Gulf.
The British frigate had been acting in support of Charles de Gaulle in the Indian Ocean while she conducted air operations into Afghanistan over the Christmas period. Cumberland's duties with the French will continue in the Gulf.
Cumberland's Christmas tasking afforded her crew little opportunity to relax and enjoy the festivities, although, in traditional fashion, roast turkey and all the trimmings was served to the sailors by Cumberland's Captain and officers. Captain Steve Dainton, Captain of HMS Cumberland, said:
"Cumberland's tasking in support of Charles de Gaulle over Christmas has demonstrated the longstanding and close working relationship between the French Navy and us.
"The Strait of Hormuz is a vital sea lane and Cumberland has been tasked to assist in the provision of security for the French carrier. This is a task we have already provided for other high value shipping since we've been on task in the area."
Cumberland is a versatile multi-role frigate, and is as much at home providing support to the carrier as she has been providing a reassuring presence to peaceful maritime use of the Gulf since the beginning of November 2010.
She assumed responsibility as the on-watch Gulf frigate from HMS Somerset on 31 October 2010.
Since then, she has been employed conducting energy security patrols in the Gulf, ensuring the safety of critical energy supply routes for the UK and her allies. She has also been tasked with the protection of the Al Basra oil platform in Iraqi territorial waters.
Some 80 per cent of Iraq's GDP is pumped through the terminal and into waiting oil tankers which then pass through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz.
HMS Cumberland will remain on task in the Gulf until well into the New Year. She is due to return home to Devonport in March prior to decommissioning in the summer as part of savings following the Strategic Defence and Security Review. She sailed from the UK on 30 September 2010

Korean, US forces lower alert status: report

Korean, US forces lower alert status: report


SEOUL (AFP) – North Korea has lowered its military alert status to a pre-crisis level, prompting similar moves by Seoul and US forces as tensions on the Korean peninsula showed signs of easing, a report said Friday.
Yonhap news agency quoted unidentified South Korean government sources as saying that the North recently lifted a special alert it issued on November 21 for its military forces on the coast near the disputed sea border.
"The North Korean military recently withdrew an order for special military readiness it had issued in connection with our Hoguk military drills," a source was quoted as saying.
The South Korean military and US forces in South Korea had consequently reduced their own alert status by one notch to a normal level, the source said.
A defence ministry spokesman declined to comment on the report.
Cross-border tensions have been high since the North shelled South Korea's frontline Yeonpyeong island on November 23, following angry protests at the South's military training near the disputed sea border.
The North also raised security fears that month by disclosing a uranium enrichment plant to visiting US experts.
But after a difficult year on the Korean peninsula, 2011 started on a more peaceful note.
The North began the year calling for improved relations with Seoul, while South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak Monday also reached out, saying he was open to talks and offering closer economic ties.
Efforts to resume long-stalled nuclear disarmament talks with the North also gained momentum as Beijing urged dialogue and Pyongyang signalled it was willing to return to the negotiating table.
In an unusually cordial statement, carried by its KCNA agency, North Korea said Wednesday the communist nation "courteously proposes having wide-ranging dialogue and negotiations".
Pyongyang is "ready to meet anyone anytime anywhere", it said, calling for "unconditional and early opening of talks" among officials with "real power and responsibility".
South Korean officials were dismissive of the comments.
"In light of the contents and form of the offer, it cannot be seen as a sincere, official proposal for dialogue," Vice Unification Minister Um Jong-Sik said on KBS radio.
The North had regularly issued similar statements in the past as part of its long-standing strategy to drive a wedge between the South Korean government and its people, he said.
He said the North should show seriousness of purpose by acting on its obligations under a 2005 agreement on denuclearization and apologising for the November shelling and the sinking of a South Korean warship last year.
But Chosun Sinbo, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper published for Koreans living in Japan, said the North's offer was serious.
"It is natural to see that the bold offer for dialogue and negotiations reflect the leader's own decision," said the paper, which faithfully echoes Pyongyang's view.
"South Korean authorities must accept the seriousness in purpose contained in the overture... Now it's time that the South had to come forward," it added.

DEFENCE TALK

BERITA POLULER