US says it wants to help Indonesia provide maritime…

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) – U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says the Trump administration wants to help Indonesia play a central role in maritime security in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mattis spoke briefly to reporters Tuesday after meeting with his Indonesian counterpart.

His visit to Jakarta reflects one of the key tenets of the broad national security strategy that he publicly unveiled last Friday in Washington – building partnerships and strengthening alliances.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, center, with his Indonesian counterpart Ryamizard Ryacudu inspects a guard of honor during a welcoming ceremony prior their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

Mattis told reporters Tuesday that the U.S. wants to help Indonesia realize its ambition to become a “maritime fulcrum” in the region. He says that, on that basis, the U.S. wants to work together with Indonesia on countering terrorism in the Asia-Pacific.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, front left, walks with his Indonesian counterpart Ryamizard Ryacudu, front right, after their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, front left, walks with his Indonesian counterpart Ryamizard Ryacudu, front right, after their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, center left, with his Indonesian counterpart Ryamizard Ryacudu, center right, inspects a guard of honor during a welcoming ceremony prior their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, center left, with his Indonesian counterpart Ryamizard Ryacudu, center right, inspects a guard of honor during a welcoming ceremony prior their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)

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