RI-U.S. joint seminar in Sidoarjo

The Jakarta Post, Sidoarjo

A United States Marine Corps officer helps his Indonesian counterpart put on a shock proof vest as part of activities in a seminar on non-lethal weapons.

The three-day joint seminar, participated in by the Indonesian and U.S. Marines Corps was held in Sidoarjo, East Java.

Heading the U.S. contingent at the start of the seminar on Tuesday was Lt. Gen. Wallace C. Gregson, the Commander of U.S. Marine Forces in Japan.

The international contingent in the seminar also included representatives from Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.

The seminar comes on the eve of talks between senior U.S. and Indonesian military officials in Jakarta on Wednesday.

It shows a sign of a warming of military ties which were suspended by Washington following the chaos in East Timor in 1999. The U.S. Congress continues to impose strict guidelines barring the export of lethal equipment to Indonesia along with military training and exercises for Indonesian officers.

Gregson however was quoted by Antara as saying on Tuesday that military ties were good, particularly between the two Marine Corps.

Indonesian Marine Corps Commander Maj. Gen. Harry Triono said the seminar was first proposed by the commander of the U.S. Marine Corps in the Pacific Lt. Gen. Earl B. Hailston.

"We know U.S. Marines are proficient in the use of non-lethal weapons for riot situations. The marines here are also committed to resolving mob situations while upholding human rights," Harry said. --JP