agreement Canberra, April 4, SPA -- The leaders of Australia and Indonesia signed an agreement Monday that they said wouldlead to a security pact between their countries. Prime Minister John Howard and President Susilo BambangYudhoyono signed the framework agreement during Yudhoyono'sfirst visit to Australia as his nation's leader. Yudhoyono, who arrived Sunday for a visit expected to helpbolster the relationship between the neighbors, said thetwo countries' military forces need to cooperate moreclosely. "In general, we agreed to have positive and constructivecooperation in the field of defense and security,"Yudhoyono told reporters. "With great understanding, ofcourse, we have to find a framework to solve the problempeacefully if there is a problem." Howard assured Yudhoyono that Australia would not support secessionists in the provinces of Aceh and West Papua. "I made it very clear to the president that Australiafully respects the territorial integrity of the Indonesianrepublic," he said. The agreement says the countries will build defense ties"at a pace with which we both feel comfortable." Monday's agreement also committed Canberra to more than doubling the university scholarships offered annually toIndonesian students to 600. Indonesia committed tosupporting Australia and New Zealand's inclusion in anASEAN free trade zone. Yudhoyono's three-day trip ends Wednesday.--SPA1130 Local Time 0830 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/251941