Mandela arrives in Bali

JAKARTA (JP): South African President Nelson Mandela arrived in Denpasar, Bali at dawn yesterday for a four-day visit to strengthen economic ties with Indonesia.

Mandela, who visited Indonesia in 1990 and 1994, was given a warm welcome by Bali Governor Ida Bagus Oka and the province's top government and military officials at Ngurah Rai airport.

The former anti-apartheid campaigner and Nobel peace laureate arrived in an African Air Force jet from Britain.

Bali administration spokesman I Made Astana was quoted by Antara as saying that Mandela spent the day resting.

Local authorities canceled sightseeing plans for Mandela and his entourage, which includes cabinet ministers.

The agenda had included visits to a museum and the Tampaksiring Presidential Palace, and watching traditional dance.

Mandela will fly to Jakarta today for talks with President Soeharto and other senior officials. Improving economic and trade relations is expected to dominate the session.

Mandela will end his visit Wednesday and head for Thailand before returning home.

Meanwhile, AFP reported from Tokyo yesterday that Rumanian President Emil Constantinescu will visit Indonesia this week.

Constantinescu, who began a three-day official visit to Japan yesterday, will leave for Jakarta Thursday for an official three- day visit at the invitation of President Soeharto.

Officials in Jakarta were not available for comment on the visit, which has not been officially announced. (amd)