U.S. embargo expected to be lifted soon

U.S. embargo expected to be lifted soon

JAKARTA: The Indonesian government expects the U.S. military
embargo against the country to be lifted soon, Indonesian Foreign
Affairs Minister Hassan Wirayuda said on Wednesday.

Hassan said the possibility of the revocation of the military
embargo was hinted at during a recent conversation between U.S.
President George W. Bush and Indonesian President Megawati
Soekarnoputri.

He said that during the telephone conversation Bush
reconfirmed his administration's support to lift the embargo.

"Both governments understand that to handle the spate of
conflicts here, Indonesia needs strong military and police
forces," Hassan said.

The minister further hinted that the Leahy amendment on the
imposition of the military embargo was expected to be lifted by
the end of this year and Indonesia would ask about the
possibility during the planned visit of U.S. Secretary of State
Colin Powell early next month.--JP