HMNZS ENDEAVOUR
- Defence Diplomacy in Jakarta
By SLT Michael Wise RNZN
When ENDEAVOUR returned from S E Asia on 27 November, it was after a defence diplomacy visit to Jakarta, Indonesia; the first by an RNZN ship in over a decade.
During the forenoon of Thursday 5 November, ENDEAVOUR sailed into Tanjung Priok Harbour in Jakarta, Indonesia. This was the first visit that an RNZN vessel has made to Jakarta since 1995. On the wharf to greet us were:
- a large group of Indonesian naval officers,
- costumed Indonesian dancers, and
- the NZ Defence Attaché in Indonesia, COL Tony Hill, wearing a korowai.
After the formal welcome, our own Kapa Haka Group conducted a Wero and Haka in reply to the Indonesian cultural performance.
In line with our government’s desire to develop NZ’s defence relationship with Indonesia, the RNZN has made two naval defence diplomacy visits to Indonesia this year. First, CANTERBURY, and CN, took part in Indonesia’s International Fleet Review at Manado, Sulawesi in August [see NT 148, October]. Discussions between Indonesia’s CN and ours at the Fleet Review identified that the time was right for an RNZN ship to visit Jakarta. So it was that ENDEAVOUR, with a Kiwi on the funnel as our very visible national symbol, berthed proudly between three other Indonesian ships in Jakarta’s harbour at Tanjung Priok.
A warship’s very physical presence enhances its role as a focal point for diplomatic activities. This visit was no exception, and on the evening of our arrival ENDEAVOUR’s flight deck was transformed into the venue for an Official Reception hosted by the NZ Chargé d’ Affaires, Mr Chris Langley and the Commanding Officer. With a guest list compiled by our Defence Attaché, close to 100 guests including Indonesian naval and diplomatic officials, our Embassy staff, NZ businessmen and teachers attended. All enjoyed mingling with the many international embassy, foreign affairs, trade and defence staffs invited.
The Deputy Chief of Navy, Indonesia Vice Admiral Moekhlas Sidik, and the Commander Western Fleet, Rear Admiral Soeparno, also attended. Regretfully, Indonesia’s Chief of Navy, Admiral Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno, who had arranged to attend, was called away at the last minute. (The following Monday we learned that a reshuffle of all the Service Chiefs had taken place.)
Hosting the Official Reception meant that all of our ship’s company were required onboard to help. That meant, for example, that our Stokers were serving food and chatting easily with the NZ guests (who were excited by the NZ lamb and seafood being offered), while our LCO had prepared hors-d’oeuvres and went on to recommending and serving wine. Meanwhile 12 of our ship’s company presented a three item Kapa Haka performance. As well we were required to have an armed duty watch and maintain our Ship’s Protection Organisation.
The following day ENDEAVOUR hosted tours from two international schools. The students were children of foreign officials from many countries including Argentina, NZ, India, South Korea, Spain and the USA. The tour of the ship was a huge success, and while the visit may seem a small thing, the impressions gained by the students were quickly passed back to the parents, this again positively affecting how people perceive NZ and its people. On return home, the Indian Defence Attaché’s son even declared that he now wanted to join the New Zealand Navy! To add to our positive impact, COL Hill’s daughter advised she would shun the Army for the Navy!
Finally, late on Friday, our ship’s company had the opportunity to relax and go ashore (in between Duty Watches). There was a lot to explore, but with English not being in common use and the traffic manic, the ship’s transport routine or our two Indonesian Liaison Officers (Emri and Junior) became the favoured methods of getting around. In the shops we discovered how cheap everything was. Many ‘rabbits’ were brought on board!
Our hosts went to great lengths to ensure our stay was pleasant and trouble-free. The Indonesian Liaison Officers who were attached to us for support went out of their way to ensure our visit was enjoyable. One, Junior, chose to give up his day off to take a group of us shopping (thanks Junior!)
On Monday when we sailed, we had four Indonesian naval officers and the NZ Defence Attaché embarked, for an overnight passage as we headed east across the Java Sea. This was an opportunity to exchange ideas on routines and life at sea while the Indonesians got a close look at RNZN Damage Control practices, with a major fire exercise in the Engine Room. A couple of ‘man overboard’ exercises were thrown in for good measure. Our visitors appreciated their stay, relishing the food and beating the Wardroom at uckers on their first attempt! Our guests were transferred by boat to an Indonesian Patrol Craft the next afternoon, thus completing a highly successful visit.
Our defence diplomacy visit was the last major event of our 2009 deployment. Over two and a half months we had worked with personnel from eight different countries, taken part in three international defence exercises and hosted an important diplomatic function in Indonesia. Not bad for a crew of 48 and it proves that while we are first and foremost a naval tanker, we are versatile and capable and able to represent our nation in other ways. Our motto says it all: Nil Intentatum – Nothing Unattempted!
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