Keating tells Alatas to get well soon

JAKARTA (JP): Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating flew to Melbourne from Canberra yesterday to see Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas who was recuperating after quadruple bypass surgery, Indonesian ambassador to Australia Sabam Siagian said.

Wearing a blue suit and bluish tie, Keating dispensed with formalities when entering the hospital room, greeting the Indonesian minister on a first name basis, Sabam told The Jakarta Post by phone yesterday.

"How are you Ali?" the prime minister was quoted as saying.

Keating wished Alatas a speedy recovery, reminding him that plenty of work awaits him in Jakarta, including preparations for the upcoming conferences of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. The two men chatted for about 15 minutes, Sabam said.

Alatas was moved from the intensive care unit to an ordinary room at Epworth hospital yesterday morning, an indication that his health is improving, the ambassador said.

The hospital has restricted the number of visitors permitted to see Alatas, who needs plenty of rest, but made a special exception for Keating yesterday, he added.

After the operation was performed on Monday, the minister was ordered to remain in the hospital for around 10 days. Alatas has been out of action since he suffered a mild heart attack on May 25 in Jakarta.

Keating is scheduled to travel to Jakarta later this month to lend credence to the massive Australian trade and cultural promotion which got underway on Tuesday. The prime minister is also expected to attend the APEC summit in November which is expected to be held in nearby Bogor. (emb)