Megawati to visit ASEAN member states

JAKARTA (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri will visit member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) between Aug. 22 and Aug. 26 to confirm Indonesia's commitment to the regional organization.

Outgoing vice presidential secretary Bambang Kesowo said on Monday that Megawati would begin her tour with the Philippines, before going on to Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore.

"The President will visit the ASEAN countries to emphasize that ASEAN is a priority in Indonesia's foreign policy," Bambang said.

The tour will be Megawati's first outing since assuming power last week.

Indonesia is one of the founding members of the 10-member ASEAN where it has been a tradition for new leaders to visit other member states.

Bambang also disclosed that United States President George W. Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard had expressed their intention to hold a meeting with Megawati as soon as possible.

"President Bush has spoken to President Megawati and stated the U.S.'s readiness to continue its support for Indonesia in settling its difficulties," he said.

The last summit involving the two countries' leaders took place in November 1999 between former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid and his American counterpart Bill Clinton.

"Prime Minister Howard has expressed hopes that he may visit Indonesia and of course we will look for the best time for the two leaders to meet," Bambang said.

Abdurrahman was criticized for making extensive overseas trips covering 90 countries during his 21-month tenure while the country's economy remained far from recovery.

Megawati took over from Abdurrahman, who was dismissed in a snap Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on July 23. (dja)