Albright to visit Indonesia

JAKARTA (JP): The United States' Ambassador to the United Nations, Madeline Albright, is due to arrive here tomorrow for a two-day visit to Indonesia.

On Monday, Albright will meet with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas to discuss various matters concerning the UN Security Council, UN reform, peacekeeping and recent developments in the war stricken former Yugoslav republic.

"Her visit is especially important considering Indonesia's new position on the Security Council, its active contribution to UNPROFOR and President Soeharto's offer of Indonesia's services in the current Bosnia peace effort," the U.S. Embassy said in a statement here yesterday.

Indonesia began its two-year membership in the Security Council in January and in August it presided as its chairman.

Indonesia has also maintained a modest of either medical or engineering detachment serving with UNPROFOR (the UN Protection Force in former Yugoslavia). It currently has a medical detachment comprised of over 230-troops in former Yugoslavia.

During her stay here Albright is also scheduled to give a speech before the Forum for International Affairs of the foreign ministry's research and development division.

Albright arrives here after leading the U.S. delegation to the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. During her trip to Southeast Asia she also scheduled to visit Myanmar and the Philippines.(mds)