Jakarta – Indonesia is considering the purchase of advanced Russian-made Mig jetfighters if the United States continues to block the acquisition of its F-16 aircrafts because of alleged human rights violations. Air force chief Marshall Sutria Tubagus says today it is not certain whether Indonesia will acquire the advanced U.S.-made jetfighters, "because the U.S. has always linked any prospective buy with human rights issues."

Tubagus says Indonesia will not allow other countries to interfere in the country's internal affairs. Therefore, he says, Indonesia is considering shopping around to find other countries willing to sell jetfighters. Tubagus admits the U.S.-made F-16s jetfighters have advantages. He says, "Air Force pilots are familiar with the aircraft and we have a number of facilities that can be used for maintenance and operation." In August, the U.S. administration was reconsidering the sale of nine F-16 fighter jets to Indonesia because of its concern over the crackdown on political dissent in the wake of unrest in July that left at least five people dead and 23 others missing. The riots were triggered by a military-backed police storming of the opposition Indonesian Democratic Party headquarters in Jakarta.