Myanmar leader in town to attend ASEAN summit
JAKARTA (JP): The head of Myanmar's ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), Senior Gen. Than Shwe, arrived here yesterday afternoon to attend tomorrow's informal summit of ASEAN heads of government.
Accompanied by an entourage of six which included SLORC's first secretary Lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, the Myanmarese leader was met by Indonesian Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto.
Than Shwe arrived on a private plane and landed at Halim Perdana Kusuma airport after making a brief stopover in Singapore.
The question of Myanmar's immediate admission into ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is expected to be a central topic when leaders of the seven-member regional grouping meet tomorrow.
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Myanmar earlier this year submitted its application for membership and would like to be admitted next a year along with Cambodia and Laos.
As reported by Reuters Than Shwe issued a statement on arrival saying his visit "reaffirmed the sincere desire of the government and people of Myanmar to integrate themselves into ASEAN".
He said he would use the summit "to renew personal contacts and exchange views with other heads of government".
In defiance of Western criticism toward Yangon's human rights record, ASEAN has maintained an approach of constructive engagement.
While there is support for Myanmar's eventual membership, ASEAN is divided on Yangon's immediate entry.
Separately, visiting Laotian Prime Minister Khamtay Siphandone discussed with President Soeharto the possibility of a barter trade of planes and soybeans.
Disclosing details of discussions between the two heads of state, Indonesian Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said Laos had expressed interest in acquiring Indonesian-made airplanes and helicopters.
He said Indonesia proposed a barter trade to facilitate the exchange should Laos encounter financial difficulties.
"Should Laos be unable to pay cash, then we have the possibility of payment in counter trade with Laotian agricultural products," Moerdiono said.
Products which Indonesia would be interested in include soybeans and corn.
Siphandone arrived here Wednesday for a bilateral visit ahead of the informal summit.
Moerdiono estimates that Indonesia's annual national consumption of imported soybeans stands at some 600,000 tons.
Moerdiono yesterday was quick to deter any perceptions that the planes were being swapped for soybeans.
"The planes are being purchased with foreign currency, we're also purchasing the soybeans with foreign currency. Its that money that's being used to buy the planes," he said trying to explain.
Apart from barter deals, the Laotian prime minister also invited Indonesian businessmen to invest in his country.
Siphandone is scheduled to tour the Indonesia in Beautiful Miniature Park today before attending lunch with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (mds)