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United States aircraft carrier USS George Washington, leading a group of warships parade presented at the peak of events in Sail Bunaken 2009 Manado. USS George Washington is accompanied by 25 warships coming from 14 participant countries presented in the series of International Fleet Review (IFR) 2009.

USS George Washington has moved since this morning at 06.00 Central Indonesian Time from Bitung. Scheduled at 16:00 will give homage to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, the IFR delegations and representatives of a number of ambassadors in the Bay of Manado, said the Head Of Indonesian Navy`s Information Service Commodore Iskandar Sitompul, in Manado, on Wednesday (19 / 8 ).

At the honorary parade of those warships, Iskandar explains, replacement of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who could not attending the event is the Coordinating Minister of Politics Law and Security Widodo AS.

Widodo AS accompanied by the Minister of Transportation Jusman Syafii Djamal, Minister of Marine and Fisheries, Freddy Numberi, Commander of TNI General Djoko Santoso, three commanders of the Navy, ground forces and air corps, and North Sulawesi Governor SH Sarundajang.

In the parade formation of warships, the United States to bring the four warships. Including aircraft carrier USS George Washington, and three destroyer. Then there are warships from Britain, Japan, Russia, Australia, South Korea, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, China, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, and France. Meanwhile, Indonesia present its six warships.

In addition to the parade of warships, the sailing and flying pass events was clattered by the attraction of Indonesian Navy and Air Force's Aircraft which also presented the United States Military Fighter Jets.

From Indonesia, Sukhoi fighter MK-27/MK-30 with three types of F-16 combat aircrafts share the formation with owned by the United States navy, Intruder, Hawkeye, and F-18.

Memorial ceremony of the seconds to 64th Proclamation of the Republic of Indonesia at the bottom of the sea of Pantai Malalayang, Manado, Sulawesi Utara (North Sulawesi), followed by foreign mariners from Australia, UK and the Philippines.

"We came about 200 people using the warships, 10 people joined to dive to support the implementation of the ceremony," said one of the mariner from Australia, Nick Lay, Monday (17 / 8) in Malalayang Beach.

Lay says, in the diving they are wearing their uniforms to match with the conditions of the memorial ceremony of the Republic of Indonesia's Independence day.

"The activity is very extraordinary," said Lay, while adding that he is happy to come to Manado, one of the Indonesia's beautiful city, and participate in the ceremony under the water is a surprise.

In addition to foreign mariners, participants of the ceremony are also attended by students from Manado and dive club in the entire archipelago, the Indonesian Armed Forces, the Navy, Air Force, the Police of the Republic of Indonesia, and the Indonesian community.

Besides, there are other guests to follow the ceremony from the warships, yachts and the stage of honor at the seaside. After the ceremony finished, international jury from the Guinnes Book World of Record, Lucia Sinigagliesi, congratulate all of the participants and the committe because the ceremony was successful.

"What made in the event is the largest and most number of participants, it will be recorded in the Guinnes Book of World Records," said Lucia.

The event itself is part of the 2009 Sail Bunaken, which expected from Sail Bunaken 2009, the image of tourism in Indonesia can be recovered.
[ Please Read: Sail Bunaken 2009 To Recover Indonesia's Tourism Sector ]

Sail Bunaken will be held in Manado and Bitung, North Sulawesi, 12-20 August 2009, is a momentum to recover the image of Indonesian tourism, after the suicide bombing in Jakarta, 17 July 2009.

"Sail Bunaken that bring thousands of participants from various countries will be a media of campaign for the Indonesian nation in the eyes of the world that our country safe and peaceful," said Head of Public Information Department of Communication and Information (Depkominfo) Suprawoto during Sail Bunaken socialization, in Manado.

Bomb explosion at the JW Marriott Hotel and the Ritz-Carlton is not the reason that Indonesia is not safe anymore because of the capital Jakarta until now is still conducive.

According to him, the international community only know Indonesia through Jakarta and Bali, but still many areas in Indonesia which has the potential of natural resources and the location of the tour in other regions, including North Sulawesi.

"The central government selected North Sulawesi as the location of Sail Bunaken for two reasons. The first, North Sulawesi has a maritime tourism, known worldwide, ie, Bunaken Sea National Park with a million of beautiful biota and are rarely found in other areas," he said.

The second, the Province of North Sulawesi has long recognized as province with the best security with the successful World Ocean Conference (WOC) on 11-15 May 2009 with presented 75 countries and a number of institutions worldwide.

Meanwhile, the readiness of North Sulawesi to held Sail Bunaken that followed tens of warships and hundreds of yachts from various countries is quite optimal, as a number of hotels, tourism, telecommunication and internet links, and other supporting facilities.