Abdurrahman's Australian visit to begin on Monday

Abdurrahman's Australian visit to begin on Monday

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is scheduled to
arrive on Monday morning in Canberra for a state visit during
which he will meet with Australian Prime Minister John Howard and
other key Australian figures, Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi
Shihab disclosed on Friday.

The official visit would strongly enhance the bilateral ties
between the two neighboring countries and, from the domestic
perspective, the trip would also be political advantageous for
the President, said the minister.

"From his (Abdurrahman's) perspective, this visit will enhance
his position because he is confident nothing untoward will happen
in the country while he is on a mission abroad to improve
bilateral relations with Australia," Alwi said during a media
briefing held at his office.

Gus Dur, as the President is familiarly known, is facing
possible impeachment when the People's Consultative Assembly
convenes in August to call him to account.

Alwi said the visit would also benefit Indonesia in the long
run, especially after the difficulties that plagued their
relations in the past when East Timor was still under Indonesian
rule.

Apart from the substantive reasons, Abdurrahman, who will
become the first Indonesian president to visit Australia in 26
years, could no longer delay the visit because he had previously
canceled the visit on five different occasions.

"We are visiting not just the Australian government but also
the Australian people. We want to show them that Indonesian
people keep their promises even in a case where the President is
facing a great deal of domestic problems. This trip will enhance
bilateral relations between Australia and Indonesia," Alwi
contended.

Traveling on the Air Force's Boeing 707, the President will
land at an Australian Air Force base in Canberra on Monday
morning. Governor General Sir William Deanne and foreign minister
Alexander Downer are scheduled to welcome him at the airport.

The President will then hold 45 minutes of bilateral talks
with Prime Minister John Howard. After that he will receive
opposition leader Kim Beazley and Australian business leaders.

On Tuesday, Abdurrahman will fly to Sydney to meet with the
business community. On Wednesday, he will fly to Christchurch in
New Zealand for a two day visit to that country.

He is to fly back to Darwin in Australia before continuing his
trip to Manila on Friday to meet with new Philippines President
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

According to Wahyu Muryadi, chief of the Presidential Protocol
Bureau, the President and his entourage, including First Lady
Sinta Nuriyah will arrive back in Jakarta on Friday evening.

Alwi also revealed the outcome of his recent visit to Libya at
the invitation of Libyan President Moammar Qaddafi to observe
peace negotiations between Moro Muslim rebels and the Philippines
government.

During the meeting, the Libyan leader assured Alwi that he
fully supported the territorial integrity of Indonesia and would
never assist any separatist movements in Indonesia.

According to Alwi, Indonesia plans to open an embassy in
Tripoli this year. Indonesia and Libya agreed to open diplomatic
ties in October 1991.

"The embassy is expected to be opened this year," said Alwi.
(dja/prb)