Wiranto meets with KL counterparts

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)