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)