Alatas to meet future HK chief

Alatas to meet future HK chief

HONG KONG (JP): Just hours before Hong Kong is officially
handed over to China, Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas will
meet with the territory's future chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa,
to urge continued economic ties between Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Alatas said that during his meeting with Tung he would convey
Indonesia's hope that the close economic and commercial ties
between Indonesia and Hong Kong would be sustained and, if
possible, prosper once the colony reverts back to Chinese rule.

Speaking after meeting British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook,
Alatas said Indonesia welcomed the return of Hong Kong to China.

"We see the return of Hong Kong to Chinese territory in a more
strategic setting, how it will impact on the overall economic and
political situation in East Asia," Alatas said.

Alatas is Indonesia's official representative at the handover
ceremony.

Indonesian Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono is also in Hong
Kong as a special guest of Beijing and will attend mainly Chinese
organized events.

During tonight's official handover ceremony, Moerdiono will be
given a seat in the "prominent leaders" section. Other
dignitaries in this section are former British Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher and former Singapore premier Lee Kuan Yew.

Alatas said yesterday that despite the handover Indonesia's
Consulate General would function as usual with no change in its
status.

"The Chinese government has accepted the presence of foreign
consulates in Hong Kong, including ours, so our consulate will be
able to operate quite normally," he said while lauding the close
ties between Jakarta and Beijing.

Alatas said his discussions with Cook were "candid and open".
This is the first meeting between the two ministers.

But Alatas said they had some differing views, particularly in
the areas of human rights.

During the meeting Cook said Britain intended to review the
sale of arms to Indonesia which could be used for internal use.

After the meeting Alatas attended a banquet hosted by
Britain's Prince Charles.

Later today he will meet Australia's foreign minister,
Alexander Downer, and Japan's foreign minister, Yukihiko Ikeda.

Alatas will also attend an informal get together of visiting
ASEAN ministers. (ego)