Juwono to seek end to embargo

Juwono to seek end to embargo

JAKARTA: Restoring military ties with the United States looks
set to be the priority for newly inaugurated minister of defense,
Juwono Sudarsono.

Speaking to reporters after his swearing-in on Thursday,
Juwono said he was heading for the U.S. to try to convince the
Americans to restore military ties between the two countries.

"I will travel to the U.S. soon to brief them on the
difficulties facing our soldiers. I will try to meet with
Congress, the secretary of defense and non-governmental
organizations," Juwono said.

Indonesia has been forced to turn to the former Communist
states of eastern Europe for military equipment since Washington
imposed a military embargo following atrocities in East Timor in
1999. --JP