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)