Gus Dur to visit S'pore next week

Gus Dur to visit S'pore next week

SINGAPORE (AP): Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid will
visit Singapore next week, with relations between the two
neighbor countries beginning to heal after a recent spat,
Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said on Thursday.

In an exclusive interview with the Associated Press, Goh said
he "received word" that Wahid would come Monday to witness the
signing of an agreement under which Singapore will buy natural
gas by pipeline from Indonesia.

Goh didn't give further details of Wahid's visit, or say
whether the two leaders would meet.

Relations between the countries were strained in late November
when Wahid berated Singapore after a summit of Southeast Asian
leaders in Singapore.

Abdurrahman accused Goh of currying favor with China at the
expense of Indonesia and other less-developed Southeast Asian
countries.

Abdurrahman also suggested that Indonesia and nearby Malaysia
jointly gain control of Singapore's water supply - much of which
currently comes from Malaysia - to teach tiny, prosperous
Singapore "a lesson."

The Indonesian President later said Singapore Senior Minister
Lee Kuan Yew had rudely suggested that the beleaguered Wahid
leave office soon. Lee denied making the suggestion.

"The outburst was totally unexpected," Goh said of Wahid's
criticisms. "We knew the pressure Wahid was under, so we
responded in a calm, dignified manner."

Abdurrahman's remarks shocked Singaporeans and political
observers around Southeast Asia, where leaders are known for
keeping most disputes quiet in the name of regional unity.

Goh said on Thursday that he was optimistic about his city-
state's relations with its giant neighbor.

"Relations with Indonesia can carry on as before," he said.
"Relations are all right."

Abdurrahman has come under fire in recent months for what
critics say is economic mismanagement and a failure to rein in
separatist and political violence in the world's fourth most
populous nation.