Prisident Soeharto arrives in Amman

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)