Dutch premier Ruud Lubbers slated to begin visit today

JAKARTA (JP): Dutch Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers is scheduled to arrive here today for a four day state visit at the invitation of President Soeharto, marking the first high-level encounter in Jakarta since Indonesia unilaterally ended all Dutch aid in 1992.

During his stay here, Lubbers, who is accompanied by Foreign Minister P.H. Kooijmans, will discuss with Soeharto the improvement and expansion of bilateral relations between the two countries, officials in Jakarta say.

Lubbers is also scheduled to make a courtesy call on Vice- President Try Sutrisno, Speaker of the House of Representatives Wahono and other cabinet ministers.

This will be Lubbers' second trip as prime minister to Indonesia after previously visiting the country in 1988. It could also mark his last in his capacity as he is expected to relinquish the post at the end of his term next month.

Relations between the two governments were severely marred when on March 25, 1992, the Indonesian government ceased all Dutch development aid on the grounds that The Hague was using its assistance to meddle in Indonesia's domestic affairs.

The cessation of Dutch aid also meant the formation of a new developmental aid foundation called the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI) replacing the Inter Governmental Group on Indonesia (IGGI) which was presided by the Netherlands.

The Paris based CGI, incorporates all the IGGI member countries except for Holland.

Tomorrow, Lubbers will attend a luncheon hosted by the Indonesia-Netherlands Association followed by a dinner with the Dutch community on Wednesday evening hosted by Ambassador J.H.R.D. Van Roijen.

Other scheduled activities while in Jakarta will be a visit to the Hero's cemetery at Kalibata and the Dutch war hero's cemetery at Menteng Pulo.

Included in Lubbers four-day itinerary here is a visit to Surabaya on Wednesday to meet with East Java governor Basofi Sudirman and the laying of the initial stone for the new Phillips-Ralin factory.

Foreign Minister Kooijmans is expected to sign an investment protection agreement with his counterpart Ali Alatas at the Pancasila building in Jakarta during the visit. (07) Ties -- Page 4