U.S. military looking to build Indonesia ties - Pace
By Muklis Ali JAKARTA (Reuters) - The United States is looking for ways to strengthen military ties with Indonesia, including holding more joint exercises, the chairman of the U.S. military's joint chiefs of staff said on Tuesday. Washington regards Jakarta as a key regional ally in its fight against Islamic militants, although it only restored full military ties just over a year ago after cutting them over human rights abuses linked to Indonesian forces in East Timor.
"I want to know how the United States military, along with the Indonesian military, can continue to strengthen the bonds of friendship between our two nations," Marine Corp Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, told a news conference after talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. 
"What are the kinds of exercises and things we might do together in future," added Pace, speaking at the white-painted colonial-style presidential palace.
The State Department waived Congressional restrictions in November 2005 that had cut U.S. military aid and arms sales to Indonesia. The restrictions were imposed in 1992.
Some U.S. Congress members and human rights activists oppose the move. They say Jakarta's military has not broken with abusive practices blamed for tens of thousands of deaths in East Timor.
The one-time Portuguese colony was annexed by Indonesia, but voted for independence in a 1999 referendum surrounded by violence blamed largely on the Indonesian military and militia it supported.
Since military ties were restored, the United States and Indonesia have conducted joint military exercises.
The U.S. military also played a prominent role in helping relief efforts after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami two years ago.
In a later news conference, Pace praised the improved U.S.-Indonesia military relations and said Washington was keen to compete for Indonesian arms contracts.
Even after the lifting of the restrictions, Jakarta has tended to continue to shop for weapons from other countries rather than the United States.
"I think the United States has shown that when Indonesia needs help ... we will help. We want to be here when we're needed, and we don't want to be here when we are not needed," he said.
However, Pace did not agree that Indonesia was a balancing power against China, which is increasing its military ability.
"We very much agree the leadership role that Indonesia naturally asserts in this region. I don't look at it as some kind of balance against China. I see it as a natural leadership position that Indonesia has," he said.
The world's most populous Muslim country, Indonesia is valued by the United States as a strategic power and as proof Islam and democracy are compatible.
But much current U.S. foreign policy, especially in the Middle East, is unpopular in the country of 220 million.
Asked about China's Jan. 11 anti-satellite missile test, Pace said he did not see it as representing a danger yet.
"We now know they have the capability to strike anything in orbit... But I would not tie that directly to a threat. Threat requires intent," the general said, adding there has been no sign the capability would be used in "an aggressive manner."
The Chinese satellite knockout was the first successful demonstration of an anti-satellite weapon since the United States destroyed a satellite of its own with a missile in 1985.
(With additional reporting by Achmad Sukarsono and Ed Davies)
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