Dutch Parliament Rejects Indonesia's Leopard Tank Purchasing Plan

BATAM, KOMPAS.com - The Dutch parliament has officially rejected Indonesia’s plan to buy 100 Leopard tanks, a House of Representtatives member, TB Hasanuddin, said.

"I received information on the Dutch parliament’s refusal a few days ago," Hasanuddin, a member of the House’s Commmission I, said here Thursday.

Speaking to reporters after attending a ceremony to commission the missile fast boat KRI Kujang, he said, if the Dutch government pushed through the Leopard tank sale, the Dutch legislature would launch a no-condidence motion against the government.

"Army Chief of Staff Gen Pramono Edhie Wibowo had already told the government that if the Dutch parliament opposed the sale, Indonesia need not insist," he said.

Earlier, Gen Pramono had said in Surabaya the purchase of the 100 Leopard tanks from the Netherlands would be completed before 2014. "Until now, it is still in an exploration stage. Our team is still discussing it and the purchase is expected to be completed before 2014," Pramono said on Wednesday night.

"Once again I will say, if the Dutch are to sell, we will buy. If not, we will go. Just wait for the next development," the army chief said.

He also said Indonesia was also exploring the possibility of buying tanks from Germany. In fact, the Germans had made an offer. "So German-made tanks will be an alternative, if our initial target is not achieved."