Mandela arrives in Bali

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)