President Soeharto to visit Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar

President Soeharto to visit Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto will make a week-long visit
to Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar on Feb 17 to improve bilateral
ties, a senior official said yesterday.

Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said the President would
use the occasion to strengthen trade and economic ties with the
three countries.

Soeharto will exchange views on various regional and
international issues, Moerdiono said at Merdeka presidential
palace.

"We want to make the best use of the rapid economic
development in the region to strengthen economic and trade
relations with the three countries," he said.

Moerdiono stressed Soeharto's visit had nothing to do with the
three nation's pending membership of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN).

ASEAN groups Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, the
Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

ASEAN officials said last December Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar
would be admitted simultaneously this year. The association's
plan to admit Myanmar has met strong criticism, notably from
western countries which accuse Yangon human rights abuses.

Moerdiono said Indonesian officials would sign several
Memorandum of Understandings with their hosts on trade and
economic cooperation.

The Indonesian and Cambodian heads of government would witness
the signing of a memorandum on oil and gas trade, Moerdiono said.

Indonesian businessmen have started a cement factory in
Myanmar. PT Citra Lamtoro Gung, a conglomerate controlled by
President Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana, and
Union of Myanmar Economic Holding would also tie up, Moerdiono
said.

Indonesia and Laos would sign a cooperation agreement on air
transport, forestry and agriculture, he said. (pan)