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)