Abdurrahman reassures investors on stability
Abdurrahman reassures investors on stability
PARIS (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid assured French
President Jacques Chirac and foreign investors here that he was
fully in control of the situation in Indonesia and security and
political stability would prevail.
Speaking to journalists after meeting with Chirac, Abdurrahman
said there was no rivalry within the government.
"I can handle the country as a whole, and I don't have
personal enemies," Abdurrahman said after the 90-minute meeting.
Responding to questions about rampant violence and interethnic
clashes, the President replied: "Little by little, gradually, the
solution will be permanently stable".
During the meeting, Abdurrahman briefed Chirac on the latest
developments in Indonesia. He indicated to journalists that he
failed to persuade his counterpart to grant a bigger quota for
Indonesian textile products entering France.
The President and his entourage arrived in Paris on Tuesday
morning for a six-hour visit. He flew in from London where he
stayed two days for a working visit.
In a separate meeting with about 200 French investors,
Abdurrahman said the prospect of investment in Indonesia was
still very bright despite troubles in parts of the country.
He described the problems as merely "technical" and reiterated
that his government would overcome these difficulties.
"There are many dilemmas in my country, but the problems are
merely technical, and my country's prospects are still very
bright," Abdurrahman said.
Abdurrahman highlighted the sectors of banking,
infrastructure, transportation, mining and agribusiness as good
prospects for foreign investors.
However, several investors indicated their continuing concern
of pouring fresh money into the country.
An executive of a drinking water company which has a joint-
venture with Jakarta's city water tap company PT PAM Jaya, said
he was concerned over continued demands in Indonesia for the
government to cancel the agreement.
"We hope the government will stick to its principle of
honoring contracts with foreign companies," said the businessman.
Jacques Daubas, an executive of Paribas Bank, said the bank
would continue its operation in the country but was wary over the
current situation in Indonesia.
However, when asked about future prospects of state-owned
aircraft manufacturer PT IPTN, the President said the state
company should totally review its strategy, because the company
was mismanaged by his predecessor B.J. Habibie.
He said he would not dissolve the company although it caused
huge losses to the state, but the company should adopt a market-
oriented principle.
Abdurrahman said one of the primary aims of his overseas trip
was to restore international confidence in Indonesia and drum up
foreign investment.
After meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at No. 10
Downing Street on Monday evening, the President said British
Police would provide training for the National Police, including
methods for facing demonstrations.
From Paris, the President will fly to the Netherlands for a
two-day visit.(prb)