RI explores purchase of Croatian weaponry

RI explores purchase of Croatian weaponry

Agencies, Zagreb

Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri has said that
Indonesia is exploring the possible purchase of arms from Croatia
and Bosnia Herzegovina.

"Indonesia is in need of military equipment," Megawati told a
press conference after a meeting with her Croatian counterpart
Stjepan Mesic in Zagreb on Tuesday night or early Wednesday in
Indonesia.

"We think that there is a lot that we can achieve together,"
Megawati said, stressing that talks were focused on cooperation
in the areas of military and police, tourism and shipbuilding.

In return, Megawati said Indonesia offered to sell palm oil
and natural rubber to Croatia.

At the meeting with the Croatian president, Megawati was
accompanied by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Rini MS
Soewandi and presidential military secretary Maj. Gen. Tubagus
Hasanudin.

Meanwhile Mesic said: "We have stated that the bilateral ties
are on the rise ... notably regarding the economic ties."

Mesic visited Indonesia earlier this year.

Megawati, who arrived on Tuesday for a three-day official
visit to Croatia, is scheduled to meet on Wednesday with Prime
Minister Ivica Racan and parliamentary speaker Zlatko Tomcic.

The two countries signed agreements on the protection and
stimulation of investments, and on bilateral consultations.

Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, Megawati paid a four-hour visit
to Bosnia Herzegovina's capital Sarajevo where she met with
chairman of the Bosnian presidential council Beriz Belkic.

After the meeting with Belkic, Megawati told journalists that
Indonesia also explored possible military cooperation with
Bosnia.

A couple of months ago, the Indonesian president likewise
visited Poland to explore the possibility of buying military
equipment both for the Indonesian Military and the National
Police.