JAKARTA, March 10 (Xinhuanet) -- Indonesian Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono will start his visit to the United States on Friday to discuss with the US congress about lifting the ban on weapon sales to the Indonesian military since 1999.

    Previously the US government has already decided to resume the bilateral program for military education and training for Indonesian military.

    The US Congress curbed military ties in 1992, by imposing weapon embargo on the Indonesian military, amid concerns over Indonesia's human rights record and increased sanctions in 1999 after the army allegedly involved in killing of around 1,500 people during East Timor's 1999 independence process.

     Enditem