Paul Keating in town for security agreement

Paul Keating in town for security agreement

JAKARTA (JP): Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating arrived
here last night on an official visit to witness the signing today
of the security agreement between his country and Indonesia.

Keating's entourage consists of Foreign Minister Gareth Evans,
Defense Minister Robert Ray and Armed Forces Commander General
John Baker.

Greeted by Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas at Halim
Perdanakusumah airport, the Australian guests declined to make
any statement upon their arrival.

Keating and President Soeharto will witness the signing of the
security agreement, which has been warmly welcomed by Indonesian
politicians and observers alike.

The landmark accord will be signed by Evans and his Indonesian
counterpart Ali Alatas.

President Soeharto will be accompanied at the signing ceremony
by Minister of Defense and Security Edi Sudradjat and Chief of
the Armed Forces Gen. Feisal Tanjung.

AFP reported that shortly before leaving for Jakarta, Keating
said the security agreement would not only strengthen the
security of both Indonesia and Australia, but would aid the
development of security in the region as a whole.

"I think the signing is going to be a moment in history which
is going to very much shape Australia's future, and I think we
feel the poignancy of that, all of us involved with it," Keating
said.

"It will make not only Indonesia's and Australia's future more
secure but in making it secure, it will make the region more
secure," he added.

The agreement will provide a forum for consultation and
possible joint responses if the security of either state is
subject to an external threat. The accord does not extend to
internal threats.

The prime minister said in a press statement earlier that the
agreement would not turn into a defense pact or alliance. (imn)