The Indonesian military would like to have good military to military relations with every country in the world

Widodo Adisutjipto, Indonesia military chief

Speaking at the beginning of a two-day meeting with US military officials in Jakarta, the head of the Indonesian armed forces, Admiral Widodo Adisutjipto, said he hoped ties would "finally re-awaken".

But US officials have said the meeting is part of efforts to fight terrorism and it should not be seen as a resumption of military co-operation.

Ralph Boyce, US ambassador to Indonesia, said it would be some time before ties were resumed.

"There is a way to go and I think both sides realize that," he said.

US demands

Since the US launched its war on terror, some senior US officials have been lobbying for a resumption of ties with Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation.

The Indonesian Foreign Minister, Alwi Shihab, said last month that the ban had weakened the ability of the military to help police contain separatist movements in Indonesia.

The US broke ties with Indonesia when pro-Jakarta militias went on the rampage following East Timor's vote to break away from Indonesian rule.

Human rights groups and some US lawmakers argue that Indonesia has failed to meet most of the conditions set by Congress to resume ties.

They say that Indonesia must prosecute those responsible for the 1999 violence.

A US embassy official told AP on Friday that the "talks are not, and should not be seen as, a resumption of full military relations between the United States and Indonesia".

East Timor is preparing to become the world's newest country next month. It has been under a United Nations administration since breaking away from Indonesia.

It is currently working out with Indonesia exactly where their joint land border is.

Surveyors and diplomats are plotting the correct division between East Timor and Indonesia's West Timor, which borders it.

They are visiting border districts to study old markers and geological features.