NAM chief hails Korean agreement

NAM chief hails Korean agreement

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto, in his capacity as chairman
of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), hails the signing of the
agreement between the United States and North Korea over the
latter's nuclear program.

"Indonesia hopes the agreement can reduce the tense situation
in the Korean peninsula," Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono
quoted the President as saying on Saturday, only hours after
representatives of Washington and Pyongyang signed the deal in
Geneva.

President Soeharto believes that the agreement will form the
basis for settling the problems besetting the peninsula which in
turn will lead to a more peaceful and stable environment and even
cooperation in the area, according to Moerdiono.

The NAM chief has been monitoring the situation and will
continue to follow every new development, he said, adding that
Soeharto has also asked senior diplomat Nana Sutresna, as head of
the NAM executive board, to contact the interested parties.

Responding to a question about Indonesia's appointment to
serve in the UN Security Council beginning next January,
Moerdiono said Indonesia was elated with the honor.

"The membership at the Security Council is expected to assist
Indonesia in discharging its duty as NAM chairman," he said.

Soeharto has chaired the 111-nation movement since 1992 and
will complete its three-year term next September. (emb)