RI-U.S. joint seminar in Sidoarjo

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