Howard cancels RI visit

Howard cancels RI visit

CANBERRA (Reuter): Australian Prime Minister John Howard said yesterday he had cancelled official visits to Indonesia and Japan planned for August because his wife had to undergo a major operation.

"My wife Janette will be admitted to a Sydney hospital early this week for a major operation," Howard said in a statement. "Naturally I wish to spend as much time as possible with her," he said.

"I will, therefore, not be able to proceed with my planned visit to Japan and Indonesia which was to have commenced on the 7th of August," he said.

Howard said he telephoned Indonesian President Soeharto on Saturday to advise him of the cancellation but was unable to contact Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and instead sent him a personal message.

He said arrangements are already being made to find alternative dates for him to visit both countries. "I hope that such visits can take place in the very near future."

The statement did not say what kind of operation Mrs Howard would undergo and a spokesman for Howard said his office would be making no further comment.

The Howards have been married for 25 years and have two sons and one daughter.