Gus Dur gets warm welcome during his N. Sulawesi tour

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid received on Monday a warm welcome during his tour to Bitung, North Sulawesi, when thousands of elementary and high school students cheerfully greeted him.

The students put aside the first day of their 2001/2002 school year to greet the President. With each waving a smaller version of the country's red and white flag, students and teachers braved the sun's heat and waited for hours to welcome the President and his entourage.

Accompanied by First Lady Sinta Nuriyah, Minister of Forestry Marzuki Usman and Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Rokhmin Dahuri, the President arrived in Manado on Monday for a two-day visit to the province.

Students and teachers said they were extremely pleased with the President's visit to mark the construction of the Bitung container port since the modern port was expected to accelerate the province's exports and imports to neighboring countries in the Pacific Rim.

"When I finish my SMU (senior high school), I will also be able to work at the port," student Rininta Supit told Antara.

The President laid the port's first cornerstone and also inaugurated the first direct shipping route from Bitung to Singapore.

"They were enthusiastic and happy although they had to wait for hours on the side of the road in the sun," said teacher Samuel Muhalling, who was busy watching his students.

Abdurrahman did not forget to make a new promise to the people. "I promise to follow Bitung Port's development by providing computerization," he pledged.

The President also officiated on Monday the extension of Sam Ratulangi Airport's runway from 2,500 meters to 2,650 meters. The project had started in 1997. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) had provided a US$150 million loan to finance its construction.

The President said he had invited Saudi Arabian investors to build bridges along the route from Manado to Makassar in South Sulawesi, which would enable tourists to make the overland journey.

"They can come by train or other modes of land transportation," said the President.

He also warned North Sulawesi Governor A.J. Sondakh to remove the mercury that was present in the tourist resort of Bunaken and threatened that he would not visit the area again if the governor failed to follow his order.

"I will only go to Bunaken when the level of mercury has dropped," the President warned.

Abdurrahman is scheduled to open the second Great Minahasa congress in Tomohon, Minahasa regency on Tuesday.(prb)