Habibie to attend APEC summit in KL
Habibie to attend APEC summit in KL
WASHINGTON (Agencies): President B.J. Habibie, who recently
canceled a planned visit to Malaysia later this month, is to
attend the APEC summit there in November, the Indonesian
Ambassador to the United States said on Thursday.
"The President... is going to go to KL (Kuala Lumpur),"
Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti told a news conference held with
finance minister Bambang Subianto ahead of the closing ceremony
of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meeting
here.
The ambassador was quoted by AFP as saying Habibie may have to
travel back to Jakarta during the APEC meeting, which is
scheduled for Nov. 16 to Nov. 18, because Indonesia has yet to
appoint a new vice president.
"But he will be there for two days of the APEC leaders
meeting. That is my understanding," the ambassador said.
He declined to comment on the issue of the detention of former
deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim in Malaysia, saying only: "We are so
busy with our own political problems."
Anwar is a friend of Habibie.
Habibie recently canceled a working visit to Malaysia planned
for later this month. The visit was to have been his first
overseas trip since assuming the presidency on May 21.
On Saturday, Habibie, in an interview with The Nation, a
Bangkok-based daily, said that he was saddened by the arrest and
alleged beating of his "friend" Anwar.
The daily quoted Habibie as saying he was unsure if he would
attend the APEC summit in Malaysia and that he would have to
consult the legislature on the matter.
Meanwhile, Antara reported that the Malaysian government has
expressed hope that President Habibie will attend the APEC
summit.
"We do hope President Habibie attends the meeting," Malaysian
foreign minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said during a press
conference in Jakarta on Friday, adding that the final decision
obviously lay with the President.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said in
Jakarta on Thursday that a decision had yet to be taken on
whether President Habibie would attend the annual summit.
"There is still much time to arrive at a decision," he said.
Malaysia has refused to move the APEC summit venue, saying it
was approved by APEC member states during last year's summit in
Canada.
Malaysia's minister for international trade and industry,
Rafidah Aziz, issued a reminder that other countries should not
interfere in Malaysia's internal affairs and said that security
would be guaranteed for the duration of the summit.
The 18-member grouping, which is to be expanded to 21 during
the upcoming summit, have no need to worry about their safety,
she said.
Rafidah was commenting on recent suggestions made by senior
officials in the United States, Australia and Canada that the
summit should be moved to a new venue in view of the political
turmoil in Malaysia.
Good relations
Meanwhile, Badawi said that Indonesia and Malaysia continue to
enjoy good relations.
Malaysia has no intention of ruining its relationship with
Indonesia, he said, adding that both countries were among the
founders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
"Cooperation between the two countries has always had a
positive impact. My relationship with my Indonesian counterpart,
Ali Alatas, is good," he said.
Alatas echoed these sentiments in Jakarta, saying that
relations between the neighboring countries have remained stable
and not been effected by Malaysia's political affairs.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum groups
Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, China, Chile, Hong Kong,
Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New
Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand
and the United States.
Russia, Peru and Vietnam are set to join this year.