Colombian Samper to hold talks with Soeharto today

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)