Improve U.S. lobby, President says<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto admitted there was a need to
\nimprove its lobby in the United States so more Americans learn
\nabout Indonesia.<\/p>\n
In a teleconference with Indonesian Ambassador Arifin Siregar
\nin Washington, Soeharto said Indonesia needs to approach more
\nU.S. officials and the public, and hold more exhibitions there.<\/p>\n
The teleconference was conducted Friday but was broadcast
\nearly yesterday after Soeharto's New Year speech declaring 1997
\nthe Year of Telecommunications and Cooperatives.<\/p>\n
During the dialog, Siregar reported to Soeharto on how
\nIndonesia had fared in political and economic bilateral relations
\nwith the United States.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's exports to the U.S. reached $7.4 billion, a US$4
\nbillion surplus over its $3.4 billion imports, Siregar said.<\/p>\n
The ambassador told Soeharto trade had increased by ten
\npercent last year, and he hoped more American tourists would
\nvisit Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Siregar also told Soeharto Washington had been preparing for
\nthe Jan. 20 inauguration of President Bill Clinton.<\/p>\n
\"Will the new cabinet show any fundamental change in its
\nstance on other countries, including Indonesia?\" Soeharto asked,
\nto which Siregar replied he was sure there would be no
\nsignificant changes.<\/p>\n
Soeharto also held a tele-dialog with Aceh Governor Syamsuddin
\nMahmud and Irian Jaya Governor Jacob Patippi.<\/p>\n
\"Is Irian safe?\" Soeharto asked Patippi, and was told \"the
\npublic are calm.\"<\/p>\n
The just-ended 1996 was the Year of Maritime and Aerospace.<\/p>\n
The second international airshow in Jakarta highlighted the
\naerospace sector, but the tragic sinking of Gurita ferry off
\nAceh, which killed 338 people, eclipsed all other events in the
\nmaritime sector.<\/p>\n
The major agenda to mark the Year of Telecommunications this
\nyear is not the 4.54 percent hikes in telephone charges announced
\njust before the new year and effective on Jan. 1.<\/p>\n
The highlight will be the launching of Nusantara 21, an
\nambitious government project to connect the whole archipelago to
\nthe information superhighway. (swe\/emb)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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