U.S. favors IMET

U.S. favors IMET

On Saturday, March 18, 1995, The Jakarta Post carried coverage of a press conference given by Admiral William Owens, Vice Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, under the title RI doubts revival of U.S. Military Training Aid.

In reading The Jakarta Post's account, I believe that some inaccuracies have arisen in relation to the article's speculation that the proposed renewal of the International Military Education Training (IMET) program for Indonesia "might face a veto from the Democratic administration of President Bill Clinton." I wish to clarify the U.S. position.

The Clinton administration favors the restoration of IMET because, in addition to supporting our security objectives, it exposes foreign military personnel to important democratic concepts, such as the civilian control of the military, military justice and accountability, and U.S. concepts of democracy and respect for international standards of human rights.

ROBERT L. BARRY

U.S. Ambassador

Jakarta