The Indonesian military, until recently occupiers of East Timor, may soon begin training officers for Dili's fledgling defense force, the UN mission in the newly independent country said Wednesday.

In a communique issued in Dili, UNMISET said the offer to train officers was made earlier this week in talks between Indonesia's regional military commander, Brig. Gen. Willem da Costa, and the commander of East Timor's UN forces, Thai Lt. Gen. Winai Phattiyakul, in Bali.

The regular, quarterly meeting was attended for the first time, with observer's status, by the chief of Dili's defense force, Brig. Gen. Taur Matan Ruak, UNMISET said.