FM Downer begins regional tour

FM Downer begins regional tour

SYDNEY (Reuter): Australia's new conservative government will
launch its drive for closer bilateral ties with Asia this week
when Foreign Minister Alexander Downer makes his first overseas
trip since last month's polls ended Labor's rule.

Downer will visit neighboring Indonesia, Singapore and
Thailand following last week's release of what he called the
government's foreign policy "road map" which stressed stronger
bilateral ties with Asia as its highest priority.

Downer replaced Gareth Evans as foreign minister after Prime
Minister John Howard's Liberal-National coalition defeated Paul
Keating's Labor government in the March 2 national election.

"Indonesia is a natural first overseas destination and
reflects the priority the government will be giving to the
relationship with Indonesia," Downer said when he announced the
three-nation visit.

During his April 15-18 stay in Jakarta, Downer will hold talks
with his Indonesian counterpart, Ali Alatas, and will meet
President Soeharto.