Although recent reports of a new U.S. naval facility in Indonesia appear to be mainly rumor for now, Washington is working out agreements for U.S. forces to operate throughout Asia. A look at Washington's agreements with the Philippines counters the assertions by both sides that the United States is not looking to establish a permanent presence there.
Analysis
Indonesian and U.S. officials have denied a recent report by Indonesian news agency Antara that the two nations have signed a deal to build a U.S. naval dock in Bitung on the island of Sulawesi, Singapore's Straits Times reported. The paper said the facility in question is a civilian commercial venture and that although Washington did look at establishing a naval facility in Indonesia, the idea has been dropped.
Analysis
Indonesian and U.S. officials have denied a recent report by Indonesian news agency Antara that the two nations have signed a deal to build a U.S. naval dock in Bitung on the island of Sulawesi, Singapore's Straits Times reported. The paper said the facility in question is a civilian commercial venture and that although Washington did look at establishing a naval facility in Indonesia, the idea has been dropped.
While the Indonesian report may have been speculation, Washington is in fact making arrangements to temporarily use land, air and sea bases for U.S. forces throughout Asia -- from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to Sri Lanka and the Philippines -- to help in operations in Afghanistan and in the wider hunt for al Qaeda. Washington and the various host countries have denied repeatedly that any sort of permanent basing arrangements are being considered. But in the case of the Philippines, for example, it is clear that despite the absence of new facilities, U.S. forces will be there for a long time.