Mahathir and Soeharto to discuss ASEAN issues

Mahathir and Soeharto to discuss ASEAN issues

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad
said yesterday he would discuss with visiting Indonesian
President Soeharto how both countries could take a common stance
on ASEAN and APEC issues.

Soeharto is scheduled to arrive for a two-day visit today,
accompanied by State Secretary Moerdiono and Foreign Minister Ali
Alatas, with the aim of fostering bilateral ties, officials said.

Mahathir told a news conference yesterday he would raise the
question of how both countries could work together and "what
should be our stand in ASEAN, (and) what should be our stand in
APEC." He did not elaborate.

Malaysia wants Myanmar integrated into the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations, along with Laos and Cambodia, by next
year. Malaysia and Indonesia are members of ASEAN which groups
Brunei, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Earlier yesterday Mahathir said it was unnecessary to review
ASEAN's "constructive engagement" policy with Myanmar, a policy
criticized as ineffective by many Western countries.

"It is a good policy. I see evidence that it has caused a
change in Myanmar (Burma)," said Mahathir, who wants to see
Myanmar to become a full member of ASEAN by 1997.

"Before (this), Myanmar was completely closed. But we
continued to try and establish relations with them and today,
they are open," Mahathir told a news conference after opening a
meeting of the Gerakan political party.

Gerakan is among the key component parties of Mahathir's 14-
member National Front coalition government.

ASEAN's so-called "constructive engagement" policy with
Myanmar to gently prod it towards greater respect for human
rights has been labeled a failure by many Western countries.

But ASEAN has rejected Western efforts to isolate Myanmar,
giving it observer status in July and saying it is only a matter
of time before the country gains full membership.

The Philippines has asked for a review of ASEAN's
"constructive engagement" policy, but Mahathir has said "it is a
good policy."

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum comprises
Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, New
Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, Taiwan, the United States
and all ASEAN member countries except Vietnam.

APEC's goal is to achieve a free-trade regime by 2010 for
developed countries and by 2020 for the rest.

Among the current issues involving Malaysia and Indonesia are
ownership of Ligitan and Sipadan, two small islands between the
Malaysian state of Sarawak and Indonesia's East Kalimantan
province.

Indonesian armed forces chief General Feisal Tanjung last
month said in Jakarta both leaders wanted to discuss the dispute
during Soeharto's visit and seek a "comprehensive solution."

Another issue is the presence of 5,000 illegal Indonesian
migrant workers in Malaysia.

Mahathir and Soeharto are also expected to try to resolve a
row over Indonesia's bid for the top post in a global rubber
organization.

Malaysia has accused Indonesia of sabotaging Kuala Lumpur's
bid to have a Malaysian succeed the Thai executive director of
the International Natural Rubber Organization. Kuala Lumpur has
threatened to abandon the organization if Indonesia continues
with its challenge for the post.

Soeharto last visited Malaysia in July 1993 when he held talks
with Mahathir in the northern island resort of Langkawi.