Ranariddh meets Soeharto

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto met ousted Cambodian First Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh last night at his Jl. Cendana residence.

During their 45-minute meeting, Soeharto was accompanied by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' secretary-general, Abdul Irsan. Ranariddh was accompanied by Cambodian Minister of Rural Development Hong Sou Hout.

Indonesian officials were not available for comment on Ranariddh's visit or his meeting with Soeharto.

The prime minister, upon returning to his suite at the Sahid Jaya Hotel after the meeting, was also tightlipped when reporters sought his opinion.

"It was a good meeting," he said before Indonesian officials whisked him into an awaiting elevator.

Ranariddh, who was ousted by Second Prime Minister Hun Sen in an armed struggle early this month, arrived at the Soekarno-Hatta airport from Singapore where he had also sought support. He flew by helicopter from the airport to the hotel.

Officials said he would leave for Bangkok this morning.

Ranariddh last week accepted an ASEAN offer to mediate in his dispute with Hun Sen. But Hun Sen turned down the offer. (06)