Wiranto meets with KL counterparts

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto began a visit to Kuala Lumpur yesterday by meeting his Malaysian counterparts, Defense Minister Syed Hamid Albar and Commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces Gen. Ismail.

Wiranto told the Malaysians about Indonesia's desire to cooperate fully in efforts to maintain regional stability.

Antara reported from Kuala Lumpur the Malaysian defense ministry as saying that Wiranto's visit was "very significant as it is aimed at strengthening military cooperation among the ASEAN member countries."

"Although ASEAN has no intention of building a defense pact, military cooperation and close relations among the ASEAN member countries would assure stability in the region," a statement issued by the ministry said.

No mention was made of the topics discussed by the three top military officials.

ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) groups Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Wiranto's visit to Malaysia is his first official overseas trip since his appointment last month.

Apart from meeting Albar and Ismail, Wiranto also held talks with other high-ranking ASEAN military officers who are in Kuala Lumpur at the invitation of the Malaysian government to attend the Defense Services Asia '98 (DSA '98) exhibition.

DSA '98 features defense and warfare equipment produced in Europe, the United States and Africa as well as Asian and ASEAN countries.

The Russian pavilion includes a Sukhoi SU-30 jetfighter and Mil-17 troop-carrying helicopter, Antara said. (swe)