Germany vows continued support for RI

Germany vows continued support for RI

By Kornelius Purba

BONN (JP): German Councilor Gerhard Schroeder said on Friday
after a meeting with visiting President Abdurrahman Wahid that
his government would continue providing political and economic
support to Indonesia.

Speaking at a joint media conference after holding bilateral
talks, Schroeder expressed confidence in Abdurrahman's ability to
carry out the democratization process and restore stability to
Indonesia's economic difficulties.

"Germany is committed politically and economically to
Indonesia," said the councilor.

Abdurrahman described Germany as one of Indonesia's most
important trading partners and asked Schroeder to facilitate the
nation in its effort to improve relations with the European
Community, which he described as a "jungle" for Indonesia.

On the situation in East Timor, Abdurrahman said Jakarta would
work closely with East Timor leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana"
Gusmao because a stable and prosperous East Timor was important
to Indonesia.

As part of his mission in rebuilding relations damaged by the
East Timor saga, Abdurrahman said he would visit Australia in
May.

The President and his entourage arrived here on Thursday night
for a two-day visit. After meeting with Schroeder, he flew to
Berlin to meet with German President Johanes Rau.

Complaints

Meanwhile in a meeting with about 300 German executives in
Bonn, Abdurrahman said the giant automotive firm PT Astra would
be sold to the highest bidder.

He dismissed fears that it would be sold in a nontransparent
manner.

"The sale of Astra could be finalized on the weekend and it
will be sold to the best buyer," he said.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Finance and Industry
Kwik Kian Gie said during his address at the business forum that
the Astra management had no right to reject the government's plan
to sell the company as it had fallen under the authority of the
Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA).

"The sale of the company will be announced to the public
within one week," Kwik said.

During the meeting with the businessmen, the President also
heard complaints from German companies.

G.C. Tonnon, the director of widely diversified
Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst, told the President that his cement
plant, PT Semen Andalas, could not operate sufficiently in Aceh
due to security problems in the province.

He said his company had invested at least DM 300 million
(US$149.5 million) in Indonesia.

Another businessman complained his palm oil plantation in
Muko-muko, Bengkulu, was often extorted.

Abdurrahman acknowledged these complaints.

"However, trust me and give me more time to resolve this
problem," said the President.

Abdurrahman left Germany on Friday night and was due in Rome a
few hours later.

There he will meet with top Italian officials and Pope John
Paul II.

His stay in Rome has been extended an extra day because a
planned stop in Prague had to be canceled due to Czech President
Vaclav Havel's ill-health.