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