Prisident Soeharto arrives in Amman

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto arrived in Amman yesterday to begin a four-day state visit aimed at further strengthening the strong ties between Indonesia and Jordan.

After an 11-hour flight Soeharto touched down at Queen Alia airport and was met by Jordan's King Hussein.

The visit to Jordan is the first-leg of an overseas trip which will take him to Rome for the World Food Summit.

The president is accompanied by Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas. In his entourage were two of his daughters -- Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana and Siti Hediati Harijadi Prabowo.

Today, Soeharto and King Hussein will hold discussions covering both bilateral and international issues of mutual concern. The Non-Aligned Movement, in which the two countries are active members, is expected to weigh into the talks.

During the four-day stay, Soeharto and King Hussein are expected to witness the signing by ministers of three agreements aimed at boosting commercial ties.

The first involves an agreement on enhancing investment, the second on the avoidance of double taxation and the third on maritime transport between the two countries.

Two-way trade between the two countries stands at over US$65 million. Primary exports from Jordan are phosphates and fertilizer, while from Indonesia include timber and textiles.

This is Soeharto's second visit to Jordan, but the first trip was little more than a brief stopover on a return trip from Europe in 1977.

Apart from stately affairs, Soeharto on his current visit is scheduled to visit the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea and the historical remains of in Petra.

The president's arrival in Amman reciprocates a visit made to Indonesia by King Hussein in 1986.

On Thursday Soeharto will continue his journey to Rome to attend the World Food Summit. There he will be one of the speakers addressing the conference organized by the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization. (mds)