U.S. should sell F-16s: Gen. Powell

JAKARTA (JP): Washington should proceed with the plan to sell F-16 jetfighters to Indonesia which has been delayed because of human rights concerns, former chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Colin Powell said yesterday.

Human rights should not be an overwhelming element in U.S. arms sales, he said.

"I support the sale of the F-16s. Arms sales to Indonesia should be based on the entire agenda of issues between the United States and Indonesia, not on one single issue," he said.

Powell was in Jakarta as part of a lecture tour under the Citibank Leadership Series.

One of the most popular figures in America today, he served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs from 1989 to 1993, and helped plan the destruction of Iraqi forces in the Gulf War.

Powell said the sale of the sophisticated jet fighters to Indonesia was in line with the U.S. policy of providing a "weapons system that has to do with the legitimate defense of the nation and not the kinds of weapons systems that would conceivably be used for suppression of problems within the nation."

Some members of the U.S. Congress have expressed concern at Washington's intention to sell nine F-16s to Indonesia, citing alleged human rights abuses. The jet fighters were originally ordered by Pakistan in 1990, but were never delivered because Washington suspected Islamabad was developing nuclear weapons.

Their concern forced the U.S. government to reconsider the sales last year. State Department officials have said the proposed sales would be reviewed again this year.

Indonesia purchased a dozen F-16s in 1989, and the bulk of Indonesia's air strike force currently consists of U.S.-made planes, such as A-4 Skyhawks and F-5 Tigers.

U.S. concerns over human rights also blocked the sale of Jordanian-owned F-5s to Indonesia in 1993.

Powell objected to attempts to reduce the U.S. International Military Education Training (IMET) offered to Indonesian officers.

"If members of the Congress have concerns about human rights, it seems to me that the IMET program is something they should be supporting," said Powell.

"We have seen some positive results as a result of the IMET program in terms of how some of your military leaders have handled some disciplinary action within the armed forces," he said.

The IMET program was only recently resumed after being suspended in 1992 in the wake of a bloody 1991 demonstration in East Timor.

In June, Democrat Barney Frank attempted to severely reduce IMET funds to Indonesia; the attempt failed in the Republican- controlled congress.

Powell rejected attempts by Congressman Patrick Kennedy and Frank Wolf to cut off U.S. aid to Indonesia.

"I do not think it would be terribly useful right now to place under U.S. legislation punitive acts such as the type Mr. Kennedy has suggested."

He said the best way to address the issue of human rights would be through dialog: "Because we are friends with Indonesia it is appropriate that friends speak candidly with one another."

However, Powell said, the U.S. continued to be concerned with human rights abuses in Indonesia.

Responding to questions on foreign campaign contributions to U.S. President Bill Clinton, Powell stressed the problem was not in Asia but in the U.S.: "What we should do is fix the way we finance our political campaigns, and do it such a way which does not result in Asia-bashing."

Meanwhile at an evening reception attended by 700 top executives, Powell spoke of the changing perceptions in the international fora brought about by the end of the cold war.

In a 20-minute speech, he explained a new era of hope had risen now the communist threat had dissipated.

All over the world, Powell said, reconciliation was occurring and the winds of change were uprooting incompatible ideas.

Despite this, he stressed the continued U.S. commitment to a policy of engagement. He further expressed his belief that as an "insurance" a strong military force was required.

He asserted the U.S. commitment to this region evident by the maintenance of a 100,000-strong force standing at the ready.

According to Powell this new international environment also propelled fundamental change in the practice of U.S. foreign policy and diplomacy.

During the Cold War era, Powell said, Washington had been able to more or less "impose" its views. The current situation "put a great burden on us to explain our ourselves more." (mds)