Moerdiono heads APEC committee

JAKARTA (JP): The government has formed a committee to organize the upcoming meeting of the leaders of the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum slated for November.

The committee, headed by Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, will make all the necessary preparations for the meeting of the 18 APEC leaders, including U.S. President Bill Clinton.

Moerdiono announced the formation of the committee yesterday after presenting a keynote address at a seminar on the social impacts of urban development at City Hall.

Other members of the committee include businessman and former ambassador to the United States A.R. Ramly as executive director; Maj. Gen. Hendropriyono, the Jakarta Military Commander as deputy director; and businessman Ponco Sutowo as second deputy director.

An advisory group to the committee consists of Minister of Post, Tourism and Telecommunications Joop Ave, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and Minister of Industry Tunky Ariwibowo.

The APEC leadership meeting is expected to be held in Bogor immediately after the group's ministerial meeting in Jakarta in early November.

Moerdiono said all the APEC members have agreed to attend the leadership meeting although Taiwan and Hong Kong will not be represented by their heads of state. (arf)