Poland expects further weapon sales to Indonesia

Poland expects further weapon sales to Indonesia

Agencies Warsaw

The Polish government said Tuesday that it plans to increase weapons sales and possibly begin military training for Indonesia, despite a U.S. arms embargo against the nation.

Defense Minister Jerzy Szmajdzinski said Poland has granted US$75 million in export credits to Indonesia for the purchase of Polish-made aircraft, and that future deals could include sales of radar equipment.

Szmajdzinski did not address whether the deal violated the embargo after a meeting with Suprihadi, secretary-general of the Indonesian Defense Ministry.

But an aide, Piotr Pertek, defended the deal, saying the equipment was for non-combat use.

Poland is the closest U.S. ally in eastern Europe, but the lure of arms sales to Indonesia could place it in a bind. Washington imposed an embargo on military equipment and spare parts after the Indonesian army's bloody rampage in East Timor in 1999.

Suprihadi, who uses only one name, said his country wants to buy 11 more planes for its navy, in addition to 11 Polish-built helicopters and four planes his country recently bought.

"We want to make new purchases. On our list are things that are already in the works: 11 Mi-2 helicopters and four Skytruck planes. We are also interested in buying 11 extra Skytrucks," he said.

Szmajdzinski told reporters that he and Suprihadi were exploring plans for Indonesian officers to be trained in Polish military academies, but did not elaborate.

Later in the day, Suprihadi also met with President Aleksander Kwasniewski for talks on terrorism and economic and military cooperation, the president's office said. Suprihadi's visit to Poland also included tours of aviation and radar plants.

Indonesia has been turning to alternative arms suppliers since Washington halted most military contacts with Jakarta in 1999 following the military's failure to stem violence in East Timor. The export credit as granted during a visit to Indonesia by President Kwasniewski in February.