Abdurrahman reassures investors on stability<\/p>\n
PARIS (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid assured French
\nPresident Jacques Chirac and foreign investors here that he was
\nfully in control of the situation in Indonesia and security and
\npolitical stability would prevail.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists after meeting with Chirac, Abdurrahman
\nsaid there was no rivalry within the government.<\/p>\n
\"I can handle the country as a whole, and I don't have
\npersonal enemies,\" Abdurrahman said after the 90-minute meeting.<\/p>\n
Responding to questions about rampant violence and interethnic
\nclashes, the President replied: \"Little by little, gradually, the
\nsolution will be permanently stable\".<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Abdurrahman briefed Chirac on the latest
\ndevelopments in Indonesia. He indicated to journalists that he
\nfailed to persuade his counterpart to grant a bigger quota for
\nIndonesian textile products entering France.<\/p>\n
The President and his entourage arrived in Paris on Tuesday
\nmorning for a six-hour visit. He flew in from London where he
\nstayed two days for a working visit.<\/p>\n
In a separate meeting with about 200 French investors,
\nAbdurrahman said the prospect of investment in Indonesia was
\nstill very bright despite troubles in parts of the country.<\/p>\n
He described the problems as merely \"technical\" and reiterated
\nthat his government would overcome these difficulties.<\/p>\n
\"There are many dilemmas in my country, but the problems are
\nmerely technical, and my country's prospects are still very
\nbright,\" Abdurrahman said.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman highlighted the sectors of banking,
\ninfrastructure, transportation, mining and agribusiness as good
\nprospects for foreign investors.<\/p>\n
However, several investors indicated their continuing concern
\nof pouring fresh money into the country.<\/p>\n
An executive of a drinking water company which has a joint-
\nventure with Jakarta's city water tap company PT PAM Jaya, said
\nhe was concerned over continued demands in Indonesia for the
\ngovernment to cancel the agreement.<\/p>\n
\"We hope the government will stick to its principle of
\nhonoring contracts with foreign companies,\" said the businessman.<\/p>\n
Jacques Daubas, an executive of Paribas Bank, said the bank
\nwould continue its operation in the country but was wary over the
\ncurrent situation in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
However, when asked about future prospects of state-owned
\naircraft manufacturer PT IPTN, the President said the state
\ncompany should totally review its strategy, because the company
\nwas mismanaged by his predecessor B.J. Habibie.<\/p>\n
He said he would not dissolve the company although it caused
\nhuge losses to the state, but the company should adopt a market-
\noriented principle.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman said one of the primary aims of his overseas trip
\nwas to restore international confidence in Indonesia and drum up
\nforeign investment.<\/p>\n
After meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at No. 10
\nDowning Street on Monday evening, the President said British
\nPolice would provide training for the National Police, including
\nmethods for facing demonstrations.<\/p>\n
From Paris, the President will fly to the Netherlands for a
\ntwo-day visit.(prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/abdurrahman-reassures-investors-on-stability-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}