Improve U.S. lobby, President says

Improve U.S. lobby, President says

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto admitted there was a need to
improve its lobby in the United States so more Americans learn
about Indonesia.

In a teleconference with Indonesian Ambassador Arifin Siregar
in Washington, Soeharto said Indonesia needs to approach more
U.S. officials and the public, and hold more exhibitions there.

The teleconference was conducted Friday but was broadcast
early yesterday after Soeharto's New Year speech declaring 1997
the Year of Telecommunications and Cooperatives.

During the dialog, Siregar reported to Soeharto on how
Indonesia had fared in political and economic bilateral relations
with the United States.

Indonesia's exports to the U.S. reached $7.4 billion, a US$4
billion surplus over its $3.4 billion imports, Siregar said.

The ambassador told Soeharto trade had increased by ten
percent last year, and he hoped more American tourists would
visit Indonesia.

Siregar also told Soeharto Washington had been preparing for
the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Bill Clinton.

"Will the new cabinet show any fundamental change in its
stance on other countries, including Indonesia?" Soeharto asked,
to which Siregar replied he was sure there would be no
significant changes.

Soeharto also held a tele-dialog with Aceh Governor Syamsuddin
Mahmud and Irian Jaya Governor Jacob Patippi.

"Is Irian safe?" Soeharto asked Patippi, and was told "the
public are calm."

The just-ended 1996 was the Year of Maritime and Aerospace.

The second international airshow in Jakarta highlighted the
aerospace sector, but the tragic sinking of Gurita ferry off
Aceh, which killed 338 people, eclipsed all other events in the
maritime sector.

The major agenda to mark the Year of Telecommunications this
year is not the 4.54 percent hikes in telephone charges announced
just before the new year and effective on Jan. 1.

The highlight will be the launching of Nusantara 21, an
ambitious government project to connect the whole archipelago to
the information superhighway. (swe/emb)