Thursday, September 9, 1999 Published at 23:26 GMT 00:26 UK
US military cuts Indonesian ties
The Pentagon's move is more symbolic than practical
By Washington Correspondent,Stephen Sackur
The United States has cut all military ties with Indonesia as a result of the failure of Jakarta to curb the violence in East Timor.
It means no more joint training exercises and no more officer exchanges - but mostly, it's a sign that the US blames the Indonesian military directly for the violence and chaos that has gripped East Timor.
Military action unlikely
The question remains of what the US is prepared to do to pressure the Indonesian Government to change course.
He made it plain that he didn't expect US troops to be sent to the territory under any circumstances.
So the Americans are left to sound warnings about dire economic and political consequences for Jakarta if the violence continues.
And in a sign that Washington has little faith left in any assurances given by the Indonesians, Under-Secretary of State Thomas Pickering told a Congressional committee that the time had now clearly come for the government of Indonesia to invite international assistance to restore peace in East Timor.