TNI seeks resumption of military ties with U.S.

TNI seeks resumption of military ties with U.S.

A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Military (TNI) is seeking the official resumption
of military ties with the United States after several positive
meetings between prominent U.S. and Indonesian figures.

TNI Spokesman Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said on Wednesday
that TNI needed U.S.-made military equipment to support its
defense duties.

"Recent meetings have shown positive development, but we are
hoping this will soon turn into concrete action," the two-star
general told a media conference at TNI Headquarters in Cilangkap,
East Jakarta on Wednesday.

Sjafrie was referring to a recent visit by U.S. Senators
Daniel K.Inoue and Ted Stevens, who met with Vice President
Hamzah Haz and Coordinating Minister for Political and Security
Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. In late March, U.S. Trade
Representative Robert Zoellick visited President Megawati
Soekarnoputri.

Both meetings were to discuss Indonesia's role in combating
terrorism in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on New York
and Washington.

According to Sjafrie, the resumption of military ties,
including the possibility of restarting the trade of military
arms with Indonesia, has also been on the agenda in the meetings.

"Indonesia needs spare parts for military equipment, support
for military training, as well as light weapons," said Sjafrie.

The U.S. cut military ties with Indonesia in 1999 after it
accused TNI of taking part in the post-ballot mass violence in
East Timor in September 1999.

Military ties between the two countries have been gradually
restored since 2000, but the U.S. still maintains an embargo on
combat equipment.

Sjafrie conceded that human rights matters still pose
obstacles to the resumption of military ties between the two
countries since the U.S. had yet to trust the TNI commitment to
respecting human rights.

TNI has reportedly grounded half its fighter aircraft due to a
lack of spare parts brought about by the U.S. military embargo.

Air Force Chief of Staff Marshal Hanafie Asnan was quoted as
saying in December that only between 40 percent and 50 percent of
the country's 233 fighters were operational. Most of Indonesia's
fighter aircraft are U.S.-made.

Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil is to meet with Peter
Brookes, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asia-
Pacific Affairs on April 24 and 25.

The meeting comes amid concerns in Washington about
instability in Indonesia and the possibility that part of its
territory may be used as a haven for terrorists.

However, Pentagon officials have said that Brookes will not be
launching a new policy or initiative in his talks with Indonesia.

"It is not focused on counter-terrorism although counter-
terrorism certainly may be discussed," Pentagon spokesman
Lieutenant Commander Jeff Davis said in Washington, AFP reported
on Wednesday.

"It will deal with a broad range of international, regional
and national security issues."