Boutros-Ghali starts RI visit today

Boutros-Ghali starts RI visit today

JAKARTA (JP): The role of the United Nations in a rapidly
changing world will be one of the topics discussed when President
Soeharto meets with UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
tomorrow.

Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono told reporters yesterday
that Boutros-Ghali will begin his five-day visit in Indonesia
today.

Aside from a brief meeting with Soeharto upon his arrival,
Boutros-Ghali, who will be here with his wife Leia Maria, will be
at the State Guest House resting after the long flight from New
York.

The main meeting between the two leaders is scheduled for
tomorrow, Moerdiono said. "Their discussion is expected to hover
around regional and international issues, and to touch on the
kind of role the United Nations should play at a time of major
changes."

Boutros-Ghali pledged to strengthen the UN role in promoting
international peace and development when assuming the UN office
in 1992.

Indonesia has also been campaigning to have the United
Nations, which marks its 50th anniversary this year, reformed to
reflect the realities of today. Indonesia is currently the leader
of the Non-Aligned Movement and holds a non-permanent seat in the
UN Security Council.

Tomorrow, Boutros-Ghali will also address the Foreign Policy
Forum of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the Borobudur
Intercontinental hotel and inaugurate the National Youth Forum on
Environment in Cibubur, East Jakarta.

On Sunday, he will proceed to Bandung in West Java, to attend
the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the historic Asia-
Africa Conference. The meeting will also be attended by Soeharto
and ministers from the 111-member Non-Aligned Movement.

Indonesia is the first leg of Boutros-Ghali's lengthy tour
that will also take him to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, France
and Russia. (emb)