Jakarta, May 19 -- Indonesia's Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told lawmakers on Tuesday that Indonesia does not have any commitment with the United States to provide overflight clearance for its military.

During a meeting with Commission I of the House of Representatives at the Parliament Complex here, he said the letter of intent, which he signed during his US visit last April, was not a letter of commitment.

"This is merely a letter of intent, not a letter of commitment; which means that we have not sealed any commitments from the US on airspace. We will defend the constitution and our national interest," Sjamsoeddin emphasized.

He conveyed the remarks to clarify the overflight clearance issue following the signing of Indonesia...