Media Release

23 May 2007

Australian Navy Ship Visit to Jakarta
HMAS MANOORA Visit to Jakarta 19-23 May 2007

The Royal Australian Navy warship, HMAS MANOORA, arrived in Jakarta on Saturday 19 May 2007 for a five-day good will visit. This is the first Australian warship to visit Jakarta since 2005.

Ms Louise Hand, Charge’ de Affaires’ at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, said the HMAS MANOORA, as the sister ship of HMAS KANIMBLA, enjoyed a special relationship with Indonesia. The KANIMBLA provided emergency assistance to the people of Aceh following the December 2004 tsunami and again to the victims of the March 2005 earthquake on Nias. Nine Australian Defence Force personnel from the KANIMBLA were killed in a helicopter crash while delivering aid to the island.

MANOORA’s visit, which also coincided with a visit to Jakarta by the Australian Chief of Navy, VADM Admiral Russ Shalders, AO, CSC, RAN, enabled the Australian and Indonesian navies to consolidate further their strong bilateral links with a number of joint activities. These included a passage exercise with the KRI SILAS PAPARE, a tour of the ship’s Primary Casualty Reception Facility by TNI-AL medical staff and sporting competitions.

VADM Shalders also signed a Joint Guidance Document with the Chief of Naval Staff of the Indonesian navy, Admiral Slamet Soebijanto, which sets the course for future naval co-operation between Australia and Indonesia, said Ms Hand. The document provides for an increased interaction between the Australian and Indonesian navies at all levels.

VADM Shalders also hosted an official reception on board the Manoora during the ship’s visit.

Further information:
John O Williams (Counsellor Public Affairs) tel. 021 2550 5290 hp. 0812 1053 989