G-15 summit proceeds despite uncertainty

G-15 summit proceeds despite uncertainty

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid will put on a brave
face on Wednesday as he hosts the 11th summit of the Group of 15
developing nations, while his fate is being determined by
legislators just a few hundred meters away.

The historical coincidence is ominous. Many still remember
that the G-15 summit in Cairo in May 1998 was the last
international meeting former President Soeharto attended before
he stepped down a few days later.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab said on
Tuesday everything was ready for the summit, which would be
opened by the President in the morning.

Alwi said on Tuesday that the government was not facing any
problems in the preparations, including security matters, and the
enthusiasm of summit participants had not been affected by the
country's political drama.

"There is no obstacle at all. There are no ministers
questioning the situation here. We have also provided extra
security measures to prevent any possible difficulties," Alwi
said, after accompanying the President at his meeting with
several delegation leaders at the Hilton Hotel.

The summit will be opened at 9 a.m. at the Jakarta Convention
Center, where Abdurrahman will deliver his opening speech.

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe will address the meeting on
behalf of Africa. He is expected to arrive in Jakarta on
Wednesday morning.

"The Zimbabwe President, who had previously canceled his
visit, will arrive here tomorrow morning," Alwi said about
Mugabe, who had initially put off his visit after the death of a
key minister in a car crash.

Meanwhile, Asia will be represented by Malaysian Prime
Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the representatives of Latin America
and Caribbean countries had not been decided.

The President will host a lunch for the heads of delegation at
the Golden Ballroom, Hilton Hotel.

Alwi will have a separate lunch with minister-level
participants at the Taman Sari Restaurant in the hotel compound.

After the lunch, the President is slated to lead a "retreat",
an informal meeting of the heads of state or government, outside
the formal agenda, at the same venue. That will be followed by a
gala dinner hosted by the President to honor his guests.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday the President received Egyptian Prime
Minister Atef Ebeid, Indian Vice President Krishan Kant, Iranian
First Vice President Hassan Habibi and Algerian President of the
National Popular Assembly Abdelkader Bensalah.

According to Alwi, the President is especially concerned about
how to improve relations among group members.

Indonesian bilateral ties with the members are also a focus of
attention in his efforts to increase Indonesian exports to the
member countries.

Indonesian Minister of Industry and Trade Lt. Gen. (ret.)
Luhut B. Panjaitan, said Egypt had expressed interest in
importing crude palm oil (CPO) and airplanes from Indonesia.

Separately, Alwi and Venezuela Foreign Minister Luis Alfonso
Davila agreed on Tuesday to establish a high-level joint
commission to promote joint ventures in oil and energy and to
increase bilateral trade.

"Besides trade, we are also thinking about cooperation in the
energy and oil fields, and at the same time, both leaders are
committed to implementing a mechanism to increase the exports and
imports of both countries," Alwi said after the signing ceremony.

The G-15 was established in 1989, originally comprising 15
member countries. Another four countries joined the group, but
leaders decided to preserve the G-15 name.

Its membership comprises Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya,
Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Venezuela
and Zimbabwe.

Three presidents, including Venezuela's Hugo Chavez and
Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo, are expected to attend the summit.
Three prime ministers, including Jamaica's James Patterson and
Mahathir, will also be present. Meanwhile, four vice presidents
will lead their delegations, including Colombia's Gustavo
Bellemus.

Of the 12 heads of delegation, only four of them will bring
their spouses, including Mahathir.

Due to security concerns, organizers have apparently not
scheduled a customary tour of the city.

The summit will be closed on Thursday morning. Venezuela
President Sanchez will officially accept the group's leadership
from Abdurrahman. Venezuela will host the next annual summit.
(prb)