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.