Indonesian Military Chief meets Thailand premier Chuan

Indonesian Military Chief meets Thailand premier Chuan

BANGKOK (AFP): Indonesian Military (TNI) Adm. Widodo A.S.
(left) met Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai (right) on Wednesday
during his first official visit to Thailand.

"He came to introduce himself as he just took the office,"
Thai Supreme Commander Gen. Mongkon Ampornpisit told reporters
after the meeting with Chuan, who also serves as defense
minister.

Widodo, who arrived in Thailand on Tuesday, was due to leave
for Malaysia later Wednesday evening.

Mongkon said the visit by Widodo reflected the cordial
relations between Thailand at every official level, both military
and non-military.

Mongkon said Thai armed forces station in a United Nations
peacekeeping force in East Timor will join South Korean troops
and take care of security in the eastern part of the territory.

Thailand is serving as second-in-command of the Australian-led
multinational force for East Timor (Interfet) and currently has
1,500 troops in the territory.

It has said it plans to reduce its garrison by a half in the
United Nations bluehelmet force which is currently succeeding
Interfet which was deployed after the Aug. 30 ballot in East
Timor.