Citation

Lowry B. Stud. Conflict Terrorism 1993; 16(3): 171-185.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10576109308435928

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In September 1988 Indonesia closed Sunda and Lombok Straits to shipping at alternate times. This article explores the reason for the closure and the significance of the timing of the closures. It concludes that the most probable explanation relates to Indonesia's desire to establish its interpretation of the rights of passage through straits and archipelagic waters, especially for warships and military aircraft. Indonesia was also engaged in an economic dispute with Japan at that time which may also have been an influence, at least on the timing of the closures. This incident is of interest because of the light it sheds on Indonesia's perceptions of the evolving Law of the Sea and Indonesia's strategic position astride the trade routes between the Middle East and East Asia.

Language: en