Speaking with reporters Monday in Jakarta after meetings with Indonesia's president and defense minister, Gates said Washington was prepared to help the country reform its military. He also pressed for closer military ties between the two countries.

The United States cut military ties with Indonesia in 1992 after the Indonesian military carried out a bloody crackdown on pro-independence demonstrators in East Timor in late 1991. Military ties were not fully restored until 2005.

Before arriving in Indonesia today, Gates stressed the importance of strengthening relations with the democratic country, which is also the world's most populous Muslim-majority country.

Indonesia has faced numerous attacks from Islamic militant groups, particularly Jemaah Islamiyah. Jemaah Islamiyah is an al-Qaida-linked regional group that has been blamed for a series of attacks in Indonesia, as well as the 2002 Bali bombings.

During his one-day visit, Gates held talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono. He also spoke to the Indonesian Council on World Affairs.

Source: By VOA News