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."