TWO US WARSHIPS TO PARTCIPATE IN RI'S SECOND FLEET REVIEW

Jakarta, Jan 23 (ANTARA) - Two United States naval ships will take part in the second Indonesian Fleet Review to be staged in mid-August 2009, an Indonesian Navy spokesman said.
The US was to be represented in the event by two warships, namely one aircraft carrier and a destroyer from its Seventh Fleet, said Commodore Iskandar Sitompul, chief of the Indonesian Navy's information service here Friday.
"To date, 30 countries, among others the US, Japan, England, South Korea, Australia and ASEAN member countries, have confirmed their intention to take part in the second Indonesian Fleet Review," Sitompul said, adding that the number of participating countries may increase.
The US Seventh Fleet commander, Rear Admiral John M. Bird, had expressed his country's intention to take part in the event during his visit to the Indonesian Eastern Fleet Command on Thursday, Sitompul said.
Through the fleet review, the Indonesian navy would be able to strengthen its cooperative relations with the navies of the participating countries, he said.
The first Indonesian Fleet Review was conducted in 1995 in conjunction with Indonesia's 50th independence day, and with the US navy also partcipating, Sitompul said.