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