U.S concerned crisis could disrupt stability<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Discussions with United States Defense Secretary
\nWilliam Cohen revealed yesterday that Washington harbors concerns
\nthat the economic turmoil in Southeast Asia could disrupt
\nregional stability.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's ambassador-at-large Nana Sutresna said that
\nCohen's 90-minute discussion expressed some concerns about
\ndevelopment in the region and how it would affect long-term
\nstability which has been a staple in the region's economic
\nsuccess.<\/p>\n
\"Secretary Cohen admitted that Washington is concerned about
\nwhat has been happening in the region,\" Nana said, adding that
\nthe concern was based on fears that instability in the region
\ncould eventually affect the strategic interest of the U.S.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's roundtable discussion was held by the Indonesian
\nCouncil on World Affairs (ICWA).<\/p>\n
Nana, who is a member of the Council's advisory board, said
\nCohen also underlined the importance of Southeast Asia to U.S.
\nforeign policy.<\/p>\n
\"Cohen said the region is critical for U.S foreign policy,\"
\nNana added.<\/p>\n
Cohen arrived here yesterday morning as part of a seven-nation
\nAsian tour. He is due to meet with President Soeharto this
\nmorning to discuss security issues.<\/p>\n
Cohen's arrival to the region comes at a time when it is
\nfacing severe economic turmoil.<\/p>\n
The rupiah has plunged to historic proportions in the past six
\nmonths and has forced Jakarta to seek a bailout package from the
\nInternational Monetary Fund.<\/p>\n
But Cohen told journalists yesterday that his three-day visit
\nhere would focus more on security issues than economic ones.<\/p>\n
\"My job is basically to talk about security and how it can be
\npromoted throughout the region ... I am focusing on security and
\nnot the financial side,\" Cohen said.<\/p>\n
He said the purpose of his travels was to explore ways in
\nwhich the U.S. can help continue to be a stabilizing influence
\nthroughout the Asia-Pacific region.<\/p>\n
While Indonesia and the U.S. have a long history of military
\nand defense cooperation, ties were jarred when Jakarta announced
\nlast year that it was canceling the planned purchase of nine
\nU.S.-made F-16s and participation in the International Military
\nEducation training due to human rights issues.<\/p>\n
Indonesia opted to purchase 12 Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30K jet
\nfighters and eight MI-17-IV helicopters instead, but last week
\nannounced that it was also postponing this US$500 million deal
\ndue to the currency crisis.<\/p>\n
When asked to comment yesterday, Cohen said the U.S. had
\nnothing to do with the postponement of the Sukhoi purchase.<\/p>\n
\"Indonesia makes decisions and choices upon its interests and
\nits requirements. The U.S. has no influence in that,\" Cohen said.<\/p>\n
Cohen will head for Singapore tomorrow and then to Thailand,
\nChina, Japan and South Korea. He plans to return to Washington on
\nJan. 22.<\/p>\n
On his first stop in Kuala Lumpur, he stressed that the United
\nStates remained a firm friend of Asia and that the American
\nmilitary intended to remain firmly planted in the Asia-Pacific
\nregion to help maintain strategic stability. (10)<\/p>\n
Photo -- Page 2<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-concerned-crisis-could-disrupt-stability-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }