Revival of RI military training in U.S. favored
Revival of RI military training in U.S. favored
JAKARTA (JP): The visiting commander-in-chief of the U.S.
Pacific Command, Admiral Richard Macke, reiterated yesterday his
support for the resumption of a training program for Indonesian
officers in the United States.
After meeting with a number of Indonesian military leaders to
discuss regional security issues, he said the purpose of the U.S.
military's International Military Exchange Training (IMET)
program is to build strong relationships between participants.
"I believe that's what IMET should be used for," he said. "It
should not be used as a negative incentive."
"I'm a very strong proponent of IMET, not just for Indonesia,
but for everyone. It's a program (that) allows face to face
discussion and contact between people," he said.
"It builds friendship that cannot be brought about in any
other fashion ... the purpose of IMET is to build that kind of
relationship."
Indonesia was barred from the program in 1992, following
1991's bloody incident involving Indonesian troops and pro-
independence civilians in Dili, East Timor. About 50
demonstrators were killed in the incident.
On February 16, Macke told the U.S. Senate that he favored the
resumption of the program for Indonesian officers, calling the
sanctions counter-productive.
"Reassurance activities like IMET should not be used as short-
term retroactive punishment," he had told the Senate. "We should
remove this irritant to our military relationship by reinstating
our IMET program for Indonesia."
Resumption of the program now depends on the U.S. Congress.
The admiral is scheduled to visit the East Javanese capital of
Surabaya today, where he will meet with local leaders and visit
the state-owned shipbuilding company, PT PAL.
On Wednesday, the first day of his four-day visit, Macke met
with Vice President Try Sutrisno, Minister of Security and
Defense Gen. (ret) Edi Sudradjat and Commander of the Armed
Forces Gen. Feisal Tanjung.
Macke said the issue of East Timor had not come up in his
discussion with the senior government officials.
However, the State Secretary office announced that U.S.
Ambassador to Indonesia Robert L. Barry, who accompanied Macke in
a meeting with Vice President Try Sutrisno on Wednesday,
appreciated Indonesia's investigation of the Jan. 12 killing of
six East Timorese in the Liquisa subdistrict.
Barry also expressed his hope for a prompt solution to the
East Timor problem.
During the press conference yesterday, Macke said he did not
see evidence of an arms race in the Southeast Asian region.
Instead, he found "modernization of military equipment" supported
by economic growth in the region.
Indonesia, which has enjoyed greater economic growth during
the last 25 years, now has the capability of modernizing its
weaponry, he said.
"I don't see the arms race in Southeast Asia," he said. "I see
the results of economies which can support modernization of the
military. It's probably the major reason that we see some build-
up, but more the modernization (of the military)."
Another issue Macke addressed yesterday was the growing
tension in the South China Sea and the overlapping claims to the
Spratly Islands by a number of countries.
He also does not consider China's plan to modernize its
military equipment a threat to Asia, as long as other countries
work with China to ensure security in the region.
"Capability does not mean a threat, only intent means a
threat, he said. "All nations, in particular in the Asia Pacific,
need to keep working with China to ensure that the intent stays
peaceful." (swe)