US defense secretary: RI plays important role in Asian region

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The U.S Government believed that Indonesia plays an important role in the Asian region with a world-wide impact, prompting many countries to establih cooperation with the Indonesian government, including in the military field.

"I have confirmed this to President Yudhoyono and believe that it is necessary for us and Indonesia to establish good relations as Indonesia is one of important countries in the region with global influence," visiting U.S. Defense Secretary, Robert Gates said after meeting President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at his office here on Monday.

Citing an example, Robert Gates said with its role in bringing about and maintaining peace, Indonesia has shown its role through its participation in peacekeeping forces in Lebanon.

"My talks with the president touched on how the U.S. can assist Indonesia as a democratic and constitutional country, and develop the condition militarily," he said.

Gates also said that the U.S. will help the Indonesian military conduct reforms and improve its capability particularly in air defense and maritime affairs.

"The assistance could be given in the form of training arms supply for which we are ready to help the best we can," he said, adding that the U.S.-Indonesia relations had been very good in these years.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono on the same occasion said that the U.S.-Indonesian military cooperation will take the form of training and increasing the capacity of the main armament system especially the improvement of the capabilities of the Hercules cargo planes and F-16 jet fighters.

"Indonesia is considered to have played an important role in the region, with an international impact, therefore the U.S. Defense Secretary said the two countries will maintain their bilateral cooperation," Juwono explained.

Juwono said further in this case Indonesia established cooperation with several countries, including with the US especially because of its high military technology.

Therefore, the Indonesian government said it has no problems in cooperation with the United States, especially in the renewal of F-16 fighters.