{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1122506,
        "msgid": "ri-still-optimistic-over-us-arms-sales-1447893297",
        "date": "2005-11-09 00:00:00",
        "title": "RI still optimistic over U.S. arms sales",
        "author": null,
        "source": "JP",
        "tags": null,
        "topic": null,
        "summary": "RI still optimistic over U.S. arms sales Rendi Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has expressed guarded optimism that the United States will not extend its 13-year military embargo on Indonesia. Even if Congress maintains the ban, Indonesia can still expect the U.S. administration to seek alternative policies that would enable Washington to export the equipment Jakarta needs, presidential spokesman Dino Pati Djalal said on Tuesday. Dino said a renewed campaign by several U.S.",
        "content": "<p>RI still optimistic over U.S. arms sales<\/p>\n<p>Rendi Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n<p>The government has expressed guarded optimism that the United<br>\nStates will not extend its 13-year military embargo on Indonesia.<\/p>\n<p>Even if Congress maintains the ban, Indonesia can still expect<br>\nthe U.S. administration to seek alternative policies that would<br>\nenable Washington to export the equipment Jakarta needs,<br>\npresidential spokesman Dino Pati Djalal said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>Dino said a renewed campaign by several U.S. lawmakers to<br>\nconvince President George W. Bush's administration to extend its<br>\nmilitary embargo on Indonesia was far from being guaranteed<br>\nsuccess in Congress.<\/p>\n<p>\"The embargo decision is still being debated at the Congress.<br>\nFrom the language of the debate, we are still optimistic that the<br>\nembargo will not be extended. We should see developments within<br>\nthe next two weeks,\" said Dino.<\/p>\n<p>Bush is seeking approval from Congress for US$20.9 billion in<br>\nforeign aid that includes military assistance for several<br>\ncountries, including Indonesia.<\/p>\n<p>A conference of Senate and House of Representatives lawmakers<br>\nagreed last week to maintain restrictions on foreign military<br>\nfinance and on exports of lethal military equipment to Indonesia<br>\nuntil Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice certifies that the<br>\nIndonesian Military (TNI) met certain conditions, including<br>\nthe prosecution and punishment of TNI officers involved in gross<br>\nhuman rights violations in Indonesia and East Timor, and the<br>\nimplementation of reforms \"to improve civilian control of the<br>\nmilitary.\"<\/p>\n<p>Dino said that should Congress extend the embargo, the U.S.<br>\nadministration could still use veto Congress' decision.<\/p>\n<p>However, he added that the any veto would only be issued if it<br>\nwould benefit U.S. security and defense interests in the long<br>\nrun.<\/p>\n<p>\"With regard to military cooperation, President Susilo will<br>\nmeet U.S. President George W. Bush during the annual APEC meeting<br>\nin South Korea to specifically discuss the issue,\" said Dino.<\/p>\n<p>Indonesia's military equipment has been steadily deteriorating<br>\nas a result of the arms ban, which was slapped on the country<br>\nfollowing the atrocities in the former province of East Timor in<br>\n1992.  -- JP<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-still-optimistic-over-us-arms-sales-1447893297",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}