Habibie set to meet Estrada in S'pore

Habibie set to meet Estrada in S'pore

MANILA (AP): Philippine President Joseph Estrada has been invited by Indonesian President B.J. Habibie to meet next week in Singapore when both leaders are attending an international economic forum, Estrada's spokesman said Wednesday.

Presidential spokesman Jerry Barican said Habibie's invitation was delivered by Coordinating Economics Minister Ginandjar Kartasasmita, who is in Manila attending a meeting of trade ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Barican said that in Singapore, the two leaders are likely to talk about immigration and refugee problems and tensions relating to fishing grounds and borders.

Habibie and Estrada have expressed public concern about Malaysia's treatment of ousted Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was arrested and allegedly beaten by Malaysian police.

Both have raised questions about whether they will attend the annual summit meeting in Malaysia in November of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Estrada's state visit to Singapore, scheduled for Oct. 11-13, will be his first overseas trip since becoming president in June. He is to address the World Economic Forum on Oct. 13 at the end of the state visit.