Megawati and Annan to brief press

JAKARTA: UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, due to arrive here on May 17, and President Megawati Soekarnoputri plan to hold a joint news conference at the State Palace on Friday in line with his planned three-day visit of the country.

Abdullah saleh Mbamba, the director of the UN Center for Information (UNIC), said on Tuesday that during his stay in Jakarta, Annan will host a series of talks with the President and Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda.

"Afterwards, Mr. Annan will continue his Southeast Asian trip to Dili, East Timor," he said.

He did not reveal Annan's agenda for the meeting with Indonesian officials.

Antara quoted a reliable source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that Annan scheduled the visit to invite the President to attend the swearing-in of Xanana Gusmao as the first president of East Timor.

"The President is expected to confirm her East Timor trip during the joint press conference," said the source.

The planned trip has sparked protests from certain sides, however, it later drew in more support. -- Antara