Megawati looks for Romanian guns as U.S. embargo takes toll
Agencies, Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri is looking into possible cooperation in the weapons industry with Romania to accommodate Indonesia's need for weapons after an almost four-year military embargo imposed by the United States.
In the second day of her visit on Saturday to the Eastern European country, Megawati had the chance to see the weaponry industries and a demonstration from the Romanian military.
Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said that the TNI was seeking to purchase jet fighters, helicopters and tanks during the official trip to Romania, Russia and Poland.
"The purchase will be made in accordance with our military budget," Endriartono, who was among presidential entourage, said.
Last year, Indonesia began to seek other sources of military hardware, after almost three decades of being dependent on U.S.- made weaponry, due to the ongoing military embargo imposed by the U.S. Congress in 1999.
Romania is known for its tank industry, which produces the M- 77, the TAB-72 and TAB-77 tanks, which were a modification of Soviet-made tanks.
The country's 12 state-owned and 11 private companies manufacture small-caliber arms, artillery, ammunition, wheeled- and-tracked armored vehicles, communications, optical and electronic equipment, aviation equipment, explosives and propellants.
Megawati was on a three-day state visit to Romania as part of her 10-day tour to eastern European countries, including Russia and Poland.
The President was accompanied by Minister for Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda, Minister for Trade and Industry Rini Soewandi, State Minister for Research and Technology Hatta Radjasa, State Secretary Bambang Kesowo and TNI chief Endriartono.
Earlier on Friday, Megawati held talks with Romanian President Ion Iliescu. The two leaders also witnessed the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding on the power industry and on science and technology.
Antara reported that State-owned electricity company PLN President Director Eddie Widiyono said that there was a possibility for Romania to participate in the 2x50 megawatt power plant project in Asam-asam, South Kalimantan.
In the joint press conference on Friday, the two leaders, despite differing policies on the Iraq issue, agreed that the United Nations should be revitalized in maintaining world peace.
"The Romanian President and I discussed how we could empower the United Nations to take more effective steps to ensure world peace," Megawati said as quoted by Antara.
Iliescu concurred saying that: "Both of us discussed the latest situation in Iraq as well as that in the Middle East."
Romania was among the U.S. supporters on the Iraq war, while Indonesia considered the war an act of aggression, which sidelined the UN.
During the visit, Megawati also met Prime Minister Adrian Nastase and other politicians before traveling to Russia and then Poland.
Megawati was slated to fly to Moscow on Sunday and hold bilateral talks with President Vladimir Putin regarding several issues including Iraq and arms purchases on Monday.
The Indonesian President was reported to have purchased two Sukhoi Su-27 and two Sukhoi Su-30 jet fighters valued at US$500 million from Russia.