Cohen is the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Indonesia since President Suharto was forced to resign last May after 32 years in power. He said he was encouraged by their response. More than 1,200 people were killed in May in the rioting that led to Suharto's resignation. The end of the Suharto era did not halt the staggering economic slide of Indonesia, which now faces its worst economic crisis in decades. The crisis has wiped out 30 years of impressive economic growth.
Malnutrition is widespread and growing.
Administration officials say that Cohen and senior U.S. military commanders were sent to Indonesia last week in hopes that such a high-level visit would impress the country's military. As the strongest government institution in Indonesia, it may hold the key to the future of this sprawling archipelago nation. The Pentagon has been embarrassed by reports that an elite U.S.-trained Indonesian military unit was responsible for some of the killings in May, as well as the kidnappings of democracy activists who have still not been found. Prabowo has since been demoted by Wiranto, his military rival. The defense secretary said he had urged the Indonesian commander to press forward with investigations of the military's responsibility for the recent violence.