Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Financial Times
February 26, 2008 By Demetri Sevastopulo and John Aglionby, Jakarta
Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, attempted to bolster military relations with Indonesia on Monday by offering to help Jakarta modernise its armed forces and aging equipment.
During a visit to Jakarta, Mr Gates stressed the importance of the US relationship with Indonesia, a secular democracy with the world’s largest Muslim population.
”We regard the development of the Indonesian armed forces as both a key component of our relationship going forward, and as a vital aspect of Indonesia’s emergence as a prosperous and stable democracy with global reach,” Mr Gates told the Indonesian Council on Foreign Affairs.
Congress barred US military assistance to Indonesia in 1992 because of concerns about human rights abuses committed by the Indonesian military, but the Bush administration lifted those restrictions in 2005.
Mr Gates said the Pentagon would help enhance Indonesia’s airlift and maritime capabilities without discussing specifics. At a joint press conference, Juwono Sudarsono, the Indonesian defence minister, said Jakarta wanted to buy spare parts for F-16 fighters and C-130 transport aircraft.
The Pentagon wants to deepen military engagement with Indonesia partly because of its help on counter-terrorism but also because of its strategic position in Asia.
Speaking alongside Mr Sudarsono, Mr Gates pointed out that US-Indonesian relations had ”made great strides” in recent years. But he hinted that Congress had not comprehended the changes occuring in the country.
”I don’t think there is a full appreciation in the United States for just how much Indonesia has changed over the last ten years, and how far reform has proceeded here, particularly in the military,” he said.
Pentagon officials travelling with Mr Gates said Congress failed to see the extent of the reforms enacted by Indonesians, which include the withdrawal of the military from politics and policing.
”There are people on [Capitol] Hill who are out of touch with the times,” said one official.
Indonesian military officers are currently enrolled in courses at a variety of military institutions in the US, including the army and marine staff colleges. This spring, the US will provide non-lethal training – on human rights and the treatment of non-combatants – to the Kopassus, Indonesian special forces, which in the past have been accused of committing human rights abuses.
The move to cement relations with the Indonesian military also comes as Jakarta continues to diversify its weapons procurement. In recent years, Indonesia has bought French armoured personnel carriers, and Russian Sukhoi fighter jets. Several weeks ago, a Chinese military delegation met Mr Juwono in Jakarta to discuss possible weapons deals.
Analysts say Indonesia is looking to play nations off against each other to secure cheaper deals, although this has become more difficult than during the Cold War when Washington and London offered very preferential rates.
”The Cold War is over and people want cold hard cash,” said Ken Conboy, a Jakarta-based security analyst. ”The Chinese are going to want cash, the Russians are going to want cash. The day of the sweetheart deal is over.”
February 26, 2008 By Demetri Sevastopulo and John Aglionby, Jakarta
Robert Gates, the US defence secretary, attempted to bolster military relations with Indonesia on Monday by offering to help Jakarta modernise its armed forces and aging equipment.
During a visit to Jakarta, Mr Gates stressed the importance of the US relationship with Indonesia, a secular democracy with the world’s largest Muslim population.
”We regard the development of the Indonesian armed forces as both a key component of our relationship going forward, and as a vital aspect of Indonesia’s emergence as a prosperous and stable democracy with global reach,” Mr Gates told the Indonesian Council on Foreign Affairs.
Congress barred US military assistance to Indonesia in 1992 because of concerns about human rights abuses committed by the Indonesian military, but the Bush administration lifted those restrictions in 2005.
Mr Gates said the Pentagon would help enhance Indonesia’s airlift and maritime capabilities without discussing specifics. At a joint press conference, Juwono Sudarsono, the Indonesian defence minister, said Jakarta wanted to buy spare parts for F-16 fighters and C-130 transport aircraft.
The Pentagon wants to deepen military engagement with Indonesia partly because of its help on counter-terrorism but also because of its strategic position in Asia.
Speaking alongside Mr Sudarsono, Mr Gates pointed out that US-Indonesian relations had ”made great strides” in recent years. But he hinted that Congress had not comprehended the changes occuring in the country.
”I don’t think there is a full appreciation in the United States for just how much Indonesia has changed over the last ten years, and how far reform has proceeded here, particularly in the military,” he said.
Pentagon officials travelling with Mr Gates said Congress failed to see the extent of the reforms enacted by Indonesians, which include the withdrawal of the military from politics and policing.
”There are people on [Capitol] Hill who are out of touch with the times,” said one official.
Indonesian military officers are currently enrolled in courses at a variety of military institutions in the US, including the army and marine staff colleges. This spring, the US will provide non-lethal training – on human rights and the treatment of non-combatants – to the Kopassus, Indonesian special forces, which in the past have been accused of committing human rights abuses.
The move to cement relations with the Indonesian military also comes as Jakarta continues to diversify its weapons procurement. In recent years, Indonesia has bought French armoured personnel carriers, and Russian Sukhoi fighter jets. Several weeks ago, a Chinese military delegation met Mr Juwono in Jakarta to discuss possible weapons deals.
Analysts say Indonesia is looking to play nations off against each other to secure cheaper deals, although this has become more difficult than during the Cold War when Washington and London offered very preferential rates.
”The Cold War is over and people want cold hard cash,” said Ken Conboy, a Jakarta-based security analyst. ”The Chinese are going to want cash, the Russians are going to want cash. The day of the sweetheart deal is over.”