Mali keen on RI helicopters

JAKARTA (JP): Mali, Africa's second largest cotton producer, wishes to buy helicopters built by the state-owned Nusantara Aircraft Industry (IPTN), a senior government official said yesterday.

Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said that in return, Indonesia will buy cotton from the predominantly Moslem, West African country.

"The Mali president strongly desires to buy locally-built helicopters. Tomorrow, he will visit IPTN (in Bandung)," Moerdiono told reporters after accompanying President Soeharto in a meeting with Mali's President Alpha Oumar Konare.

President Soeharto suggested that Mali could seek credit from the Islamic Development Bank if a cash purchase of the helicopters was difficult.

Both Mali and Indonesia are members of the Organization of Islamic Conference.

"To help make the credit repayment easier, Indonesia plans to buy cotton and probably wheat too, from Mali," Moerdiono said.

The two heads of state agreed to step up trade cooperation between the two countries. Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and his Malian counterpart signed agreements on economic and technical cooperation.

Moerdiono said Indonesia offered cooperation in agricultural development.

On political matters, the visiting president promised to support Indonesia's stand on the East Timor question in international fora, he said.

Konare arrived here on Thursday for a three-day visit. (pan)