F-16 deal may happen soon

F-16 deal may happen soon

JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the United States' Joint Chiefs of
Staff, Gen. John Shalikashvili, said he hopes Indonesia's plan to
purchase sophisticated F-16 jet fighters can be wrapped up soon.

Speaking to journalists at the end of a three-day visit on
Wednesday, Shalikashvili said the remaining minor issues could be
resolved quickly.

"I'm very hopeful that we can bring this issue to a successful
conclusion in the near future," he said.

In an effort to beef up the Air Force, the government is
negotiating the purchase of American-made F-16 Fighting Falcons.

The tactical fighters are part of a batch of 28 originally
ordered by Pakistan.

Indonesia said that it is interested in purchasing at least
nine of the jet fighters to join its squadron of 11 F-16s.

Minister of National Development Planning/Chairman of the
National Development Planning Board Ginandjar Kartasasmita, who
is a retired Air Force officer, has led the negotiations.

Shalikashvili said on Wednesday that since the fighters were
originally bound for Pakistan, it is important for that country
to be involved in the negotiations.

He said the issues surrounding the purchase must be "resolved
to the satisfaction of all three governments". He did not
elaborate.

Speaking on the current level of U.S. military deployment in
the Asia-Pacific region, Shalikashvili maintained that Washington
had not wavered in its commitment to the region.

"We view ourselves very much as a Pacific nation," he
remarked.

He further stressed that although Washington has reduced its
forces in Europe, it "did not reduce its forward position in this
region."

Given the great importance the United States' attaches to the
Asia-Pacific, Shalikashvili urged the Indonesian government to
open up a defined east-west archipelagic sea-lane.

Indonesia has identified three north-south sea-lanes through
its strategic territorial waters. Australia and the U.S. are
lobbying for an east-west sea-lane to limit restrictions on their
battleships as they pass through Indonesian waters.

Shalikashvili said the east-west sea-lane would help maintain
security and stability in the region.(mds)