Obuchi supports RI reform efforts
Obuchi supports RI reform efforts
JAKARTA (JP): Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi arrived
here on Friday for a two-day working visit, thus giving him the
distinction of being the first foreign leader to visit Indonesia
since the election of Abdurrahman Wahid as president in October.
Abdurrahman personally welcomed Obuchi at Halim Perdanakusuma
Airport. The two leaders are scheduled to hold bilateral talks at
Merdeka Palace on Saturday before their departure to Manila to
attend a summit meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) along with China, Japan and South Korea.
Speaking earlier to journalists onboard his flight from Tokyo,
the prime minister said he would underscore Tokyo's support for
Indonesian reform efforts during what his officials say is a
largely symbolic visit to Jakarta.
"I would like to pay my respects to the Indonesian people and
their efforts at seeking a 'rebirth' of their country," he said.
Obuchi is expected to announce plans to send experts to help
Indonesia build small- and medium-sized businesses. He is also
expected to start talks on a pact to induce Japanese investment
to Indonesia.
Quoting Japanese finance ministry officials, Reuters reported
that Tokyo would not be able to make any pledges of new money
until Jakarta reaches an agreement with the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) over its economic program, expected in late
December.
A reliable Japanese source said Obuchi wanted to have closer
personal relations with Abdurrahman, who made a two-day visit to
Japan last month on his way back from the United States.
Obuchi also wanted to become the first foreign leader to visit
Jakarta after Abdurrahman's election, said the source.
"The prime minister is very pleased with the President's
decision to come to Tokyo before making a state visit to China,"
the source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told The
Jakarta Post on Friday.
The President is slated to leave for a three-day state visit
to China on Wednesday.
Accounts from their first meeting in Tokyo indicate the two
leaders hit it off very well.
"I heard you are very good at getting on well with various
people, particularly at turning your enemies into friends. I feel
this evaluation is quite similar to my own," Obuchi was reported
as saying to Abdurrahman.
Soon after his arrival here, Obuchi met with Indonesian top
officials such as Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri and
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais.
"As we will not spare any effort in our support for
Indonesia's attempts to reform, I want to hold concrete
discussions," Obuchi was quoted by Reuters as saying during his
flight to Jakarta.
Japan is Indonesia's largest lender country, and its most
important trading partner. Japan's official development
assistance to Indonesia surged from US$496 million in 1996 to
$828 million in 1998, the second largest Japanese aid
disbursement last year after $1.15 billion to China.
"I want to convey the message that Japan will not hesitate to
provide support to Indonesia," Obuchi said.
After their bilateral talks, Abdurrahman will fly to Brunei
for a brief stopover before continuing his trip to Manila. He
will stay in the Philippine capital until Monday.(prb)