No ties with Israel: Soeharto tells Syrians

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia will not establish diplomatic ties with Israel as long as there is no comprehensive and just solution to the disputes between Arab countries and Israel, President Soeharto said yesterday.

Soeharto declared Indonesia's consistency on this policy in his address at last night's banquet to honor visiting Syrian Prime Minister Mahmoud Al-Zoubi.

Soeharto said Israel's occupation of Arab territories was illegitimate, and that Indonesia regarded it as a new form of colonialism and racism.

"For Indonesia, a just, eternal and comprehensive solution on Arab-Israel can only be reached by the full implementation of the UN Security Council's resolutions," President Soeharto said.

He said Israel should return occupied Arab territories, such as Syria's Golan Heights, Southern Lebanon, Gaza and the West Bank.

"The legitimate rights of Palestinian people for self- determination and the state of their motherland must also be recognized," Soeharto said.

Syrian Prime Minister Mahmoud Al-Zoubi and his entourage arrived here yesterday for a five-day visit to strengthen bilateral trade and cultural relations.

This morning the two heads of government are expected to hold bilateral talks on regional and international affairs, including developments in the Middle East.

"The two leaders agreed to boost trade and economic relations between the two countries," Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said after he and Soeharto had received the prime minister in a courtesy call.

In his speech last night, Soeharto recalled how Syria in 1947 became the third country to recognize Indonesia's independence which was proclaimed in 1945.

"The United Nations Security Council, chaired by Syrian statesman Fairs Al-Car, had issued a resolution which ordered the Dutch to stop its military aggression against Indonesia," Soeharto said.

This morning, after a scheduled 90-minute meeting, the two leaders will witness the signing of three bilateral Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) and one agreement.

Foreign Minister Ali Alatas and his counterpart Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nasser Qaddour will sign the MOUs on the establishment of bilateral consultation, information cooperation and tourism cooperation.

They will also sign an agreement to promote and protect investment, and an arrangement for cultural exchange programs for three years.

Indonesia's non-oil exports to Syria in 1996 were worth US$33.29 million, while its non-oil imports were worth US$14.25 million.

Prime Minister Mahmoud Al-Zoubi will leave Bali Monday for Damascus. (06)