Abdurrahman considering new grouping<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE (JP): Unhappy with the ASEAN summit's emphasis on
\neconomic competitiveness and not solidarity, President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid said here on Friday that he might set up a new
\nmultilateral grouping that includes East Timor, Papua New Guinea,
\nAustralia and New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters after bilateral talks between
\nAbdurrahman and Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, presidential
\nspokesman Wimar Witoelar said the President had expressed concern
\nduring the ASEAN-plus-three (China, Japan and South Korea) dialog
\nearlier in the day that ASEAN \"might be too heavily concentrated
\non economic competitiveness and forgetting a bit about ASEAN
\nsolidarity\".<\/p>\n
\"President Wahid told the Chinese premier that we are actually
\ninterested in including East Timor and Papua New Guinea in our
\nmultilateral relationship, but since ASEAN countries were not
\nvery enthusiastic about the idea, the President said he might set
\nup a new multilateral grouping with East Timor, Papua New Guinea,
\nAustralia and New Zealand,\" Wimar said.<\/p>\n
He said Abdurrahman believed that \"solidarity and brotherhood\"
\namong ASEAN members should be \"first and foremost considering the
\nfact that ASEAN consists of 10 countries which are quite diverse
\nin their stages of development\".<\/p>\n
\"The idea of solidarity and taking care of a weaker neighbor
\nshould come before the idea of unilateral expansion of economic
\ncapability.<\/p>\n
\"With that notion, if ASEAN is not able to accommodate
\ncountries, such as East Timor and Papua New Guinea, then we go
\nback to the point that Indonesia might have to engage in a
\ndifferent kind of relationship,\" Wimar quoted Abdurrahman as
\nsaying.<\/p>\n
Wimar also said Abdurrahman \"took note of the fact\" that the
\nexisting ASEAN projects were only in the western part of ASEAN.<\/p>\n
\"The ASEAN projects which are actively being developed, such
\nas the Mekong River project and the railroad from Singapore to
\nChina, mainly have a direct impact on the western part of ASEAN,
\nbut not much emphasis has been on the eastern part. So Indonesia
\nis suggesting that we resurrect and activate that,\" Wimar said.<\/p>\n
Wimar added that Abdurrahman had suggested the idea of
\nbuilding a bridge between Malaysia and some points in Sumatra \"to
\ncomplement the idea of a railroad between Singapore and China\".<\/p>\n
He was implying, however, that Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad
\nwas more interested in supporting the idea of improving sea
\ntransportation in Indonesia and Brunei.<\/p>\n
Wimar said Mahathir was scheduled to discuss the issue further
\nwith Abdurrahman during a breakfast meeting on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman is also scheduled to meet with members of the
\nIndonesian community on Saturday afternoon before he leaves for
\nBatam island to address the ASEAN People's Assembly.<\/p>\n
The President is scheduled to arrive in Jakarta on Saturday
\nevening.<\/p>\n
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,
\nMyanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (byg)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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