Rumsfeld takes a look at long-standing relations

An afternoon downpour greeted U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld as he arrived at the National Archives building in Central Jakarta, but there was a warmer welcome on the inside.

Rumsfeld (right), accompanied by the executive director of the National Archive Building, Tamalia Alisyahbana, toured an exhibition of historical photographs and documents depicting the changing ties between the United States and Indonesia.

He was particularly interested in one image of a U.S. official meeting with founding president Sukarno.

Rumsfeld also examined pictures and news reports of major natural disasters in Indonesia where the U.S. government was involved in humanitarian assistance, such as in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and Nias as well as the recent earthquake in Yogyakarta and Central Java.

The defense secretary also chatted with volunteers who helped out on the U.S. Mercy navy hospital after the tsunami.

Rumsfeld, who earlier met with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, then headed to the Defense Ministry for an appointment with minister Juwono Sudarsono. - JP/P.J. Leo