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