National

Foreign Minister: USA and Indonesia Want to Improve Military Relation
Monday, 07 March, 2005 | 17:34 WIB

“This is the first step in the renewal of military relations which are improving,” Wirajuda told reporters at the State Palace on Sunday (6/3).

In response to a question about Minister of Defense Juwono Sudarsono’s visit to the USA in May, Hassan said that both countries had problems, especially as regards the arms embargo and the deferment of the IMET (International Military Education and Training Program) program.

“We appreciate the initiative of the US government in renewing and improving relations, first as regards IMET which has been deferred all of this time, and second the arms embargo,” said Hassan.

Indonesian Military Commander in Chief General Endriartono Sutarto said he hoped that the lifting of the embargo would be followed by a greater availability of budget for the TNI.

“If the embargo is lifted but there’s no money, the situation is just the same,” said Sutarto when questioned by reporters.

Abdul Manan