Colombian Samper to hold talks with Soeharto today

JAKARTA (JP): Colombian President Ernesto Samper arrived here yesterday for a two-day visit.

Samper, who chairs the developing countries' 118-member Non- Aligned Movement, is scheduled to have a private meeting with President Soeharto after visiting the Kalibata heroes cemetery today.

He was welcomed to the state palace by Soeharto, Vice President Try Sutrisno and Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono.

Samper arrived in Jakarta yesterday with Foreign Affairs Minister Maria Emma Mejia, Foreign Trade Minister Morris Harf, and business leaders.

Moerdiono recently said Samper and Soeharto would focus on the future of the Non-Aligned Movement.

The two heads of state will also discuss ways of strengthening economic and trade relations between their two countries.

Officials from both countries will sign a memorandum of agreement in the field of education and culture. Samper will meet with Indonesian business people.

According to AFP reports, the Colombian government is particularly keen to find new export markets since relations with the United States have deteriorated over claims Samper knowingly used drug cartel money to finance his 1994 election campaign.

In July, Washington revoked Samper's U.S. visa after branding Colombia as a country that failed to cooperate in the war on illegal drugs.

President Soeharto said Indonesia relies on political stability to continue economic development.

"(Political) stability is possible only if there is equal distribution of development and its results," he said. "The equal distribution is possible if the economy grows rapidly enough".

Samper is scheduled to leave Jakarta for Seoul later today. (05)