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)