US military looking to build Indonesia ties-Pace

JAKARTA, Feb 13 (Reuters) The United States is looking for ways to strengthen military ties with Indonesia, including holding of more exercises, the chairman of the US military's joint chiefs of staff said today.

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 which had cut US military aid and arms sales to Indonesia. The restrictions were imposed in 1992 Some US Congress members and human rights activists oppose the move because 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 India have conducted joint military exercises.

The US military also played a prominent role in helping relief efforts after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami two years ago.

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 US foreign policy, especially in the West Asia, is unpopular in the country of 220 million.

REUTERS DKA KP1602