RI, U.S. boost antiterror ties

RI, U.S. boost antiterror ties

JAKARTA: The Indonesian and the U.S. militaries have agreed to
step up cooperation to combat terrorism by exchanging information
and enhance the capacity of antiterror units.

Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said
on Sunday the agreement was reached in a meeting between with
U.S. Asia-Pacific commander Adm. Thomas Fargo in Hawaii last
week.

"Even though each country has different ways of handling
terrorism, we (Indonesia and the United States) have agreed to
boost cooperation in dealing with this extraordinary crime,"
Endriartono said after observing a rehearsal of the TNI's 59th
anniversary commemoration at Halim Perdanakusuma airbase in East
Jakarta.

Endriartono visited Hawaii from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1., during
which he explained several measures that Indonesia has taken in
fighting global terrorism, including a joint operation with
neighboring Malaysia and Singapore to guard the Strait of
Malacca.

Fargo once suggested that U.S. troops might assist, with
patrols, in the strait to deter terrorists who might target
shipping in the international waterway.
In Indonesia, the military backs up the National Police when it
comes to fighting terrorism. --JP