10 head of states to attend G-15 summit here in late May

10 head of states to attend G-15 summit here in late May

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said on
Thursday that at least 10 heads of state had confirmed their
attendance at the G-15 summit, scheduled to be held here in late
May.

Alwi did not say, however, who they were.

"There will be more than 10 (heads of state) and this has
passed the quorum, so we can relax a bit now," Alwi told
reporters after attending a Cabinet meeting at Bina Graha
presidential office.

Alwi said that during the meeting, he reported to President
Abdurrahman Wahid the preparations made for the summit.

He added that the summit's main agenda would be "how to
strengthen cooperation in the development of information
technology" between member countries.

The G-15 consists of Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Egypt,
India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria,
Peru, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

The G-15, whose ranks have swelled to 19 with the inclusion of
Colombia and Iran, has largely remained rhetorical in its
criticism of the West and globalization.

During last year's summit in Cairo, G-15 leaders blasted the
West for shackling them with unjust trade terms and crushing
debts, with Jamaica's prime minister accusing the rich of
consigning them to the "graveyard of penury".

Alwi's statement came as the government announced earlier
this month that it was canceling plans to import luxury cars for
the summit.

Following widespread criticism, officials said that instead of
importing luxury cars, the government would borrow official cars
of high state functionaries, including ministers and lawmakers.

Reports that Abdurrahman had issued a permit for specific car
importers to import 400 luxury cars at reduced import duties last
month caused a furor, with critics saying such spending was
unwarranted amid the country's current economic crisis.

Officials later said that the number of luxury cars to be
imported would be reduced to 50, and later to between 10 and 20.
(byg)