Soeharto committed to reforms: Cohen

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto strongly assured visiting U.S. Defense Secretary William C. Cohen yesterday that he was committed to rebuilding confidence in his country's economy.

The President was quoted by Cohen as saying he realized that the unstable economic situation here would also affect other countries in the region.

"He is determined to deal with the issues constructively and to move very quickly on various reforms," Cohen said after meeting with Soeharto at the latter's residence on Jl. Cendana, in Central Jakarta.

Cohen held a joint media briefing with Minister of Defense Edi Sudradjat on the front porch of Soeharto's home. American journalists accompanying Cohen's seven Asian nations tour, and Jakarta-based foreign correspondents packed the yard.

The defense secretary said he was impressed with Soeharto's appearance of good health and stamina.

When asked whether Soeharto indicated any readiness to be reelected to another term, Cohen said: "I did not inquire about his political aspirations as such... But he is very strong and he is in great health... he is very vigorous."

Cohen said it was important for his country to engage in and continue dialog on Indonesia's economic problems and to seek solutions because Indonesia plays a pivotal role in regional stability and security.

"Indonesia and the U.S. cannot agree on all issues. We have differences on human rights, but we have learned to work together," Cohen said.

When asked whether Soeharto's economic policy was on the right track, Cohen said: "I am not here as a financial expert. I am here to talk about security issues, to expand the security relationship.

"After talking with the President, I am convinced that he is determined to put his country on a sound footing and to recover confidence in his country's economic system."

He said he did not raise the issue of arms sales during his meeting with Soeharto.

Indonesia canceled last year the purchase of nine U.S.-built F-16 jet fighters after the U.S. Congress put the deal on hold citing Indonesia's poor human rights record.

Jakarta then turned to Russia, placing an order last year to buy 12 Sukhoi-30K fighters and eight MI-17-IV helicopters to modernize its air defense system.

Last week, the Armed Forces announced that in light of the economic turmoil, it was delaying all planned arms purchases, a move that would save $20 billion.

Yesterday, Armed Forces chief spokesman Brig. Gen. Wahab Mokodongan, clarified that Indonesia had not entirely postponed its plan to purchase the Sukhoi fighters.

Wahab said the deal could still proceed as long as no cash was involved.

"If the Sukhoi purchase could be financed entirely through counterpurchase, then it could still go ahead," he said.

The U.S. government yesterday offered Indonesia the opportunity to revive a military education and training program for Indonesian officers, which Indonesia rejected last year, Antara reported.

Cohen, in a separate meeting with Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung later in the day, said he was prepared to fight for the program through U.S. Congress, the news agency said.

Feisal told reporters that Indonesia would look into the offer, underscoring the benefit of the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program for Indonesian officers.

The majority of Indonesian officers were IMET alumni, he said.

Indonesia in June rejected further participation in the IMET program, along with its decision to cancel the earlier plan to buy the F-16 fighters.

The move came in response to what Indonesia called "wholly unjustified criticism" in the U.S. Congress against Indonesia.

The program, worth $600,000 to Indonesia, involves professional training for senior foreign military officers. It was recommenced in Indonesia in 1995 after a three-year suspension by Washington in response to Jakarta's handling of the East Timor issue.

In yet another meeting yesterday, this time with members of the American Chamber of Commerce, Cohen maintained that the United States remained a firm friend of Asia and that the American military intended to remain firmly planted in the Asia- Pacific region to help maintain strategic stability.

"If the U.S were not here, then someone would have to fill the vacuum, it could be the Chinese, the Japanese, the ASEAN countries, India or Pakistan. Someone would move to fill the gap, and it might not necessarily be in ways that were friendly to our interests," Cohen said.

Cohen will head for Singapore today before going on to Thailand, China, Japan and South Korea. He plans to return to Washington on Jan. 22. (prb/10/imn/emb)