Developing nations must master technology: Soeharto
By Kornelius Purba
ISTANBUL (JP): President Soeharto said here yesterday that developing countries were struggling to master sophisticated technology, and this could only be done through hard work and intensified cooperation between themselves.
In a bilateral meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan here yesterday, Soeharto said he hoped today's summit of eight predominantly Islamic developing countries, known as D-8, would strengthen their position in the coming free trade era.
Soeharto said closer cooperation between developing countries would strengthen their position, even though their technology was not as sophisticated as industrial countries'.
"When the eight countries combine their capabilities and potential they will be much stronger," Soeharto told Erbakan according to Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono.
Soeharto met with Erbakan at his Ciragan Kempinski Hotel suite.
President Soeharto arrived in the tourist city of Istanbul yesterday, to attend the first D-8 summit today.
The one-day summit will be chaired by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel amidst political uncertainty here. It is thought that Erbakan will not be able to resist mounting demands for his resignation following prolonged tension with the military.
The summit's participants include President Soeharto, Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Egyptian Prime Minister Kamal El Ganzouri, outgoing Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Nigerian Minister of Industry Mohammed Halladu.
Today's summit will issue a declaration, and all the heads of government/state will attend a joint press conference. Soeharto will fly back to Jakarta in the evening.
In yesterday's meeting, neither Soeharto nor Erbakan touched the issue of Erbakan's possible departure from government.
"Erbakan did not raise the issue, and as a guest the President also did not touch it," Moerdiono said.
Close
But Soeharto said he hoped the countries' bilateral relationship would remain close.
Turkey's exports to Indonesia were only US$32.4 million in 1995, while its imports from Indonesia were US$132 million.
President Soeharto also met with Nawaz Sharif, they agreed to boost trade relations.
Indonesia's Ambassador-at-large Nana Sutresna said the summit would give Indonesia the job of overseeing human resource development issues.
"We will hold workshops on poverty alleviation soon," Nana said.
Turkey will be responsible for producing small aircraft for agriculture. Iran will be responsible for establishing joint export marketing. Pakistan will be responsible for fisheries.
"We want this group to carry out small but visible projects that will directly benefit the people," said Nana.
While the heads of state were holding bilateral talks, D-8 ministers also met, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Alatas.
He said the ministers had agreed to set up six projects. A rural development project will be overseen by Bangladesh, trade by Egypt, poverty alleviation by Indonesia, science and technology by Iran, finance and banking by Malaysia and energy development by Nigeria.
Soeharto rejected suggestions for Indonesia to host the next summit in 1998, because the country would be tied up with the General Assembly of the People's Consultative Assembly, the presidential election and the establishment of a new cabinet.
Bangladesh has agreed to host the next summit.