Easing of sanctions against Indonesia weighed

Easing of sanctions against Indonesia weighed

WASHINGTON (Agencies): The U.S. State Department is consulting with Congress on a partial lifting of the ban on military-to- military contacts that was imposed last September.

But spokesman Richard Boucher said Wednesday Indonesia has not yet fully complied with the conditions that were set for resuming the contacts.

"At this point, there's no plan to resume defense item sales or transfers," he said, as quoted by AP.

Boucher expressed support for the Indonesian government's recent action to address the Maluku Islands situation by imposing a state of civil emergency, removing the troops who have taken sides in the violence and by replacing officers who have been unable to enforce discipline.

"We hope the government will implement those measures promptly while adhering to international standards for the protection of human rights," he said.

He added that the United States remains deeply concerned about the cycle of violence in the country.

The embargo was mandated by the U.S. Congress last year after the Indonesian Military was blamed for being responsible for the violence in East Timor.

But Indonesia has been stepping up its campaign for a reversal of the embargo. In an interview in the Washington Post on Wednesday, Indonesian Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono claimed the military was suffering a chronic shortage of resources due to the embargo and had been forced to pull back several cargo planes and patrol boats needed in the Malaku Islands.

Juwono said the military was in a "tenuous situation" and badly needed to get transport planes back in the air.

"They have an important role in providing supplies in emergency situations, whether it's a man-made or a natural disaster," he was quoted as saying.

In Jakarta on Thursday, Juwono again said Indonesia is "seeking the lifting of a ban on sales of parts we need for some defense systems equipment, such the Hercules aircraft.

"The (Hercules) spare parts need to be replaced because they have exceeded 100 flight hours".

Juwono said the lack of parts could compromise flight safety and hamper relief efforts in riot-hit areas such as the Maluku Islands.

"What is more important is the role of the Hercules to transport food and medical supplies for refugees quickly," Sudarsono said. "We also need rapid movement of troops and police to quell unrest."

Asked if Indonesia had considered "alternative sources" for the purchase of military equipment, other than from the United States, Juwono replied that China and South Korea had been considered.

"We have tried a counter trade with South Korea for high-speed patrol boats," he said.

"Some light-weight supplies such as ammunition could be purchased from China," he added.

However, 70 percent of Indonesia's army, navy and air force equipment was "totally dependent on technology and spare parts from the U.S.," he noted. The remaining balance was from Europe and South Korea.