Letter to the editor: Defense Ministry clarification

With reference to a report in The Jakarta Post on July 1, 2010, titled "RI wants to buy US fighters, cargo jets", the first paragraph reads, ".in the hope that a US embargo on military sales to the country may soon be lifted."

We would like to explain that this statement is not true and was not conveyed in an interview between The Jakarta Post's journalist and the chief spokesman for the Defense Ministry.

As I said in the interview, the embargo was lifted in 2005 and Indonesia's relations with the US had improved since 2001.

Since then, dialogues, such as the Indonesia-US Security Dialogue (IUSSD) and the US-Indonesia Bilateral Defense Dialogue (USIBDD), have been organized several times.

Likewise, exchanges of visits between high-ranking military officers of both countries have been increasing, and educational assistance has been provided by the US for Indonesian military officers.

Indonesia also welcomes US military officers wishing to study in Indonesia.

So far, military ties between the two nations have continued to increase, particularly with the planned visit of US President Barack Obama to Indonesia this year.

Brig. Gen. I Wayan Midhio
Chief Spokesman
Defense Ministry
Jakarta

Note: We apologize for the error.

- Editor