Alexander Downer to visit Indonesia

Alexander Downer to visit Indonesia

AUSTRALIA: Australia's foreign minister said he would visit
Indonesia on Wednesday to discuss counterterrorism and fighting
the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

Alexander Downer said in a statement on Tuesday that he would
deliver a speech in Jakarta on "one of the greatest threats to
international and regional security -- the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction."

Downer said he also will discuss the war on terror and
Australia's contribution to reconstruction efforts in tsunami-hit
Aceh province.

Downer is to head to Malaysia later in the week to attend a
meeting of foreign ministers ahead of an inaugural East Asia
summit in Kuala Lumpur.

"Australia's relationship with Malaysia has gone from strength
to strength this year, highlighted by the April visit to
Australia by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and the launch of
bilateral free trade agreement negotiations," Downer said.

"I intend to undertake a short program of bilateral activities
in Malaysia and meet with a number of influential Malaysians to
maintain the momentum in this important relationship." --AP