ABC AUSTRALIA, 29/06/2002 23:12:15
United States wants to resume military assistance to Indonesia
The United States wants to resume military assistance to Indonesia in an effort to
reestablish US influence in the world's most populous Muslim nation.
The New York Times reported the push follows the arrest in Jakarta this month of a
suspected al-Qaeda operative, which has strengthened the Bush administration's
determination to re-engage with Indonesia's military.
According to The Times, suspect Omar al-Faruq was turned over to the United States
and is being held at an undisclosed location.
The Kuwaiti man, who was trained at al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan, is believed to
be involved in raising money for al-Qaeda.
The administration of former president Bill Clinton cut off American weapons sales to
Indonesia in 1993 because of concerns about human rights violations.
Congress broadened these sanctions to include other forms of military assistance in
1999.
29/06/2002 23:12:15 | ABC Radio Australia News
© 2001 Australian Broadcasting Corporation |
