Downer to visit RI on economic mission

Downer to visit RI on economic mission

CANBERRA (Reuter): Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer will fly to Indonesia today to discuss economic development with key ministers and commemorate Australia's annual war memorial day.

Downer said in a statement he would first visit Ambon, in eastern Indonesia, where he will meet Coordinating Minister for Production and Distribution Hartarto and Transportation Minister Haryanto Dhanutirto and launch a joint growth area.

Australia and Indonesia agreed last year to establish a sub- regional economic development zone to boost economic links.

The zone is also aimed at fostering development in Indonesia's eastern provinces, which lag far behind the rest of the sprawling archipelago.

Downer will mark ANZAC Day, Australia's annual commemoration of war dead, on Friday in Ambon, where hundreds of Australians were killed or imprisoned by Japanese troops in World War II.

Australian and New Zealand soldiers under the banner of ANZAC, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corp, fought a bloody battle on the shores of Gallipoli in Turkey during World War One. The ANZACs were eventually forced to retreat.

Downer will then travel to the resort island of Lombok, east of Bali, and open a A$25 million (US$19 million) water and sewerage project funded by Australian aid.

Downer is due to return to Australia on Saturday.