Megawati and Annan to brief press

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