Premier Siew ends his three-day Asian tour

Premier Siew ends his three-day Asian tour

JAKARTA (JP): Taiwan Premier Vincent Siew headed back to
Taipei yesterday ending a three-day visit shrouded in secrecy
here.

"The Prime Minister and his entourage left for Taipei on a
commercial flight this (yesterday) afternoon," a diplomatic
source confirmed.

Indonesian officials were tight-lipped about the visit and
refused to confirm reports that Siew met with President Soeharto
Tuesday evening.

But a source, who asked not to be named, said Taiwan's prime
minister met Soeharto for two hours at his residence on Jl.
Cendana in Central Jakarta.

"Your government is very concerned about China," the source
added.

Indonesia maintains a one-China policy in which it only
recognizes Beijing. However, commercial ties between Jakarta and
Taipei remain strong with Taiwan having an economic
representative office here. Taiwan is one of Indonesia's top-10
foreign investors with over US$13 billion.

Taiwan's President Lee Teng-hui visited Bali and met President
Soeharto on a "private capacity" in 1994. The visit drew strong
criticism from China.

A diplomatic source added that Siew also met with State
Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita
and State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie, along
with Taiwan businesspeople here.

In Taipei, the official Central News Agency (CNA) reported
yesterday that Siew and Soeharto discussed the regional financial
crisis.

CNA said Siew refused to confirm his meeting with Soeharto,
citing deference for his hosts, but called the trip a success.
"The outcome was better than we had originally hoped for," he
said.

Siew also confirmed meeting with Habibie. He said Indonesia
had not requested any aid or financial assistance.

"Their greatest wish is that Taiwan investors in Indonesia
stay on," Siew was quoted as saying.

Siew was in Indonesia as part of a tour which included
Singapore and the Philippines.

In Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Shen Guofang repeated
assertions Tuesday that Siew's visits and offers of aid were
simply a pretext to increase Taiwan's international standing.

"We hope that countries concerned will maintain vigilance
against the political moves of the Taiwan authorities and
properly handle their relations with Taiwan," Shen said.
(prb/mds)