Gus Dur to delay his visit to Australia

Gus Dur to delay his visit to Australia

By Budiman Moerdijat

SEOUL (JP): Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab said late
Thursday here that President Abdurrahman Wahid would likely
postpone his planned visit to Australia in November.

Speaking to journalists within the presidential entourage,
Alwi said that Abdurrahman's planned visit to Australia, which
has already been delayed several times, would not take place in
November.

"I think that the trip which has been planned for this
November will not take place," Alwi said on the sidelines of the
third Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in the South Korean capital.

Alwi did not elaborate further, but said that he, Minister of
Industry and Trade Luhut Panjaitan and Coordinating Minister for
the Economy Rizal Ramli would visit Australia in an effort to
strengthen trade ties between Jakarta and Canberra on Nov. 25 to
26.

Alwi also said that during the fasting month, which begins in
late November, the President will not make any overseas trips.

The President has been sharply criticized for making too many
overseas trips and putting global issues before mounting domestic
problems.

Ties between Jakarta and Canberra nosedived last year after
Australia led an international peacekeeping force to East Timor
after the UN-organized ballot.

The House of Representatives called on Abdurrahman earlier
this month to delay his visit to Australia until after Australian
Prime Minister John Howard had first made a trip to Jakarta.

Alwi ruled out, however, the possibility of a Howard visit
saying that Australian leaders' visits to Indonesia had been "too
frequent".

Abdurrahman had said earlier this month that his visit to
Australia would depend on an analysis as to "whether their (the
Australians) attitude has changed or not".

"If there are no changes, we will do what has been suggested
by the House," Abdurrahman said.

Meanwhile in Singapore it was reported that Abdurrahman would
meet with Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew on his way back to
Jakarta.

AFP quoted a Singapore foreign ministry statement as saying
that the Indonesian president specifically requested Saturday's
meeting.

The meeting is expected to be held at the VIP lounge at
Singapore's Changi airport. (byg)