Indonesia to join Aussie war games

Indonesia to join Aussie war games

SYDNEY (Reuter): Australia said yesterday that troops from neighboring Indonesia would take part in a joint military exercise this year in northern Australia, further cementing defense ties.

Indonesia has never taken part in the joint exercise, held every three years since the mid-1970s, a spokesman for Defense Minister Robert Ray said.

The war games will also involve forces from the United States, Britain, Malaysia, Singapore and Papua New Guinea and will mimic a low-level incursion into Australia's vast, sparsely populated northern region, the spokesman said.

Indonesia's decision to accept Australia's invitation to send troops to the Kangaroo '95 exercise, likely to be held in August, follows the Australian government's release of an important defense discussion paper in December.