APSNet 4 June 2009

1. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono steps ups threat in Malaysia sea dispute
2. Japan plans enhanced space-based missile alert system
3. Uygur detainees: Canberra caught in diplomatic vice
4. Pacific Island states win small victory at UN
5. Civilian deaths jeopardize Afghan war effort: US general
6. Indonesian smuggling route shut, say police

1. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono steps ups threat in Malaysia sea dispute, Stephen Fitzpatrick, Australian, 2009-06-04

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has thrown down the gauntlet to Malaysia as tensions rise over a disputed maritime zone, declaring there will be “no compromises” and ordering an increased show of military force. Malaysia sent another warship across the sea border near northeastern Borneo, the 10th time it has done so this year, according to Jakarta.

• RI to send diplomatic note to Malaysia over Ambalat, Erwida Maulia, Jakarta Post, 2009-06-3
• ‘Equator Eagle’ squadron ready to fly to Ambalat*, Antara, 2009-06-04
  * Indonesian language.
• 11 Malaysian Ships Held in Violations, Farouk Arnaz, Jakarta Globe, 2009-06-04

2. Japan plans enhanced space-based missile alert system, Global Security Newswire, 2009-06-03

The Japanese government plans to make improvements to satellites in order to augment its capability to quickly detect a North Korean missile launch.

• Whither the Japan-Australia security relationship? Desmond Ball, Austral Policy Forum 06-32A, Nautilus Institute, 2006-09-21
• Perth International Telecommunications Centre – Landsdale, Australian Defence Facilities, Nautilus Institute
• Japan military space guidelines identify capabilities but lack planning specifics, Paul Kallendar-Umezu, Space News Correspondent, 2009-02-19  

3. Uygur detainees: Canberra caught in diplomatic vice, Jonathan Pearlman, SMH, 2009-06-03

China has pressed Australia not to resettle a group of Chinese Muslims being held at Guantanamo Bay, leaving the Rudd Government in a diplomatic wedge between Beijing and the White House.

• A moral obligation, Donald Rothwell, Inside Story, 2009-06-04

4. Pacific Island states win small victory at UN, RNZI, 2009-06-04

Small Pacific islands vulnerable to rising sea levels have won a symbolic victory at the United Nations with the passage of a resolution recognizing climate change as a possible threat to security. The non-binding resolution was passed by consensus by the General Assembly.

• Climate change and security – analysis and policy, Nautilus Institute
• Indonesia’s rent-an-island answer to climate change, Steve Holland, ABC, 2009-06-04
• The anatomy of a silent crisis: Human Impact Report, Global Human Forum, 2009-05-29 [PDF, 3.4MB]

5. Civilian deaths jeopardize Afghan war effort: US general, Dan De Luce, AFP, 2009-06-03

The general chosen to lead US and NATO forces in Afghanistan warned that the war against insurgents could be lost unless civilian casualties were reduced. Lieutenant General Stanley McChrystal told a congressional hearing that civilian deaths from coalition operations risked inflaming public anger and undermining military advances on the battlefield.

• Armed Services Committee meeting, United States Senate Armed Services Committee, 2009-06-02
• U.S. report finds errors in Afghan airstrikes, Eric Schmitt and Thom Shanker, NYT, 2009-06-03
• U.S. rejects Afghan civilian death estimate, Sabrina Tavernise, NYT, 2009-05-20

6. Indonesian smuggling route shut, say police, Age, 2009-06-02

Indonesian police are confident they have shut off a key smuggling route for ferrying people to Australia by boat. General Bambang Suedi – whose regional command takes in West Timor and the Flores islands – said he had broken up a smuggling syndicate attempting to send people from Afghanistan and Burma to land on Ashmore Reef, north-west of Darwin.

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