Adi Mawardi, Surabaya – Ralph L. Boyce, the United States Ambassador to Indonesia, has promised that he will fight to get a reduction on the military embargo imposed by the United States on Indonesia after disorder broke out in East Timor following the 1999 referendum, according to Rear Admiral Sa'roni Kasnadi, Commander of the Eastern Fleet of the Indonesian Navy on Friday.

"Boyce promised to lobby the US government so that the weapons embargo against Indonesia is reduced," Kasnadi told reporters after meeting with the US Ambassador at the Eastern Fleet Headquarters in Ujung Harbor, Tanjung Perak, Surabaya.

During the meeting, Ambassador Boyce and East Fleet Commander also agreed to hold a joint military training exercise between the United States and Indonesia. Kasnadi explained that this will be the third joint military training exercise between the two countries.

"So, the USA wants re-open relations with Indonesia. Currently, a ship of the US Seventh Fleet, USS Flurid, is docked at Bali harbor. Next Saturday, I will go there along with the Indonesian Navy Chief," said Kasnadi.