Myanmar leader in town to attend ASEAN summit
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)