gc
05-26-2005, 07:10 AM
Jakarta eyes restoring military ties with US
Gulf Times, May 25, 2005
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=37868&version=1&template_id=45&parent_id=25
JAKARTA -- Indonesia’s president headed to Washington yesteray, hoping his country’s giant strides in democracy and tough line on terror would lead to a restoration of strategic military ties despite lingering qualms over Jakarta’s rights record.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will spend two days in the United States, meeting President George W Bush and other officials on his first White House visit since taking the helm of the world’s largest Muslim-populated nation last year.
While trade and tsunami relief operations are expected to top the agenda, Yudhoyono is certain to use his visit to push for a normalisation of military relations frozen for 13 years.
Clouding his mission are unrelenting demands for Indonesia to address past human rights abuses and the excesses of its armed forces, particularly during the bloody mayhem of 1999 as East Timor broke away from the archipelago nation.
With Yudhoyono’s credibility riding high on a series of West-friendly policies and support growing in Washington for renewed military bonds with the Southeast Asian giant, analysts expect the former general will be successful.
Gulf Times, May 25, 2005
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=37868&version=1&template_id=45&parent_id=25
JAKARTA -- Indonesia’s president headed to Washington yesteray, hoping his country’s giant strides in democracy and tough line on terror would lead to a restoration of strategic military ties despite lingering qualms over Jakarta’s rights record.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will spend two days in the United States, meeting President George W Bush and other officials on his first White House visit since taking the helm of the world’s largest Muslim-populated nation last year.
While trade and tsunami relief operations are expected to top the agenda, Yudhoyono is certain to use his visit to push for a normalisation of military relations frozen for 13 years.
Clouding his mission are unrelenting demands for Indonesia to address past human rights abuses and the excesses of its armed forces, particularly during the bloody mayhem of 1999 as East Timor broke away from the archipelago nation.
With Yudhoyono’s credibility riding high on a series of West-friendly policies and support growing in Washington for renewed military bonds with the Southeast Asian giant, analysts expect the former general will be successful.