Ex-Pakistani PM urges Soeharto to hold dialog<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A visiting former Pakistani leader yesterday
\nsuggested President Soeharto and other government officials hold
\ndirect dialogs with the people since the country's image had
\nbecome badly tarnished by foreign media reports over student
\ndemonstrations here.<\/p>\n
Former Pakistani prime minister Moeen Qureshi pointed out the
\nnecessity to counter wrong perceptions caused by media reports on
\nthe country's situation.<\/p>\n
"Riots here may cause negative impacts on foreign investment
\nin the country, especially if reports by CNN or other members of
\nthe foreign press are exaggerated," Qureshi said after meeting
\nwith the President at the Bina Graha presidential office.<\/p>\n
Accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance and
\nIndustry Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Qureshi met with Soeharto in his
\ncapacity as the chairman of the U.S.-based Partner Emerging
\nMarket Corp.<\/p>\n
He told the President that his company would invest up to
\nUS$700 million in infrastructure projects here, including for
\ntelecommunication and electricity services.<\/p>\n
Qureshi reported that the President responded positively to
\nhis suggestion, which he said was based on his own experience
\nwhile leading Pakistan through a similar crisis.<\/p>\n
He also advised the President to devote special attention to
\npoor people who were most severely affected by the economic
\ncrisis.<\/p>\n
Qureshi, 68, was appointed as Pakistan's acting prime minister
\nfor three months in July 1993 when prime minister Nawaz Sharif
\nlost the position.<\/p>\n
Although his tenure at the helm of the Pakistani government
\nwas brief, the former World Bank vice president has been
\ndescribed as a man with courage because he introduced sweeping
\nand political reforms.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto told Qureshi that he was fully committed to
\nhis agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to
\nreform the country's economy.<\/p>\n
"I am satisfied with the President's reaction," he said.<\/p>\n
Later in a separate meeting with the national Thomas Cup and
\nUber Cup badminton teams, the President criticized the
\ninternational media for unbalanced reports over the country's
\nsituation.<\/p>\n
"They always describe it as if we are facing chaos and famine
\nbecause of the economic wreckage," Soeharto said. (prb)<\/p>",
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