RI and Kuwait to boost ties

RI and Kuwait to boost ties

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid (right) is escorted
by Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah after the two held
talks on Tuesday in Kuwait City on improving ties between the two
countries.

During his visit, Abdurrahman held talks with the Kuwaiti Emir
and Prime Minister Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah.

Abdurrahman expressed optimism about Kuwaiti government and
business community interest in investment in Indonesia.

"The Kuwait government as well as its private business circle
have pledged a huge gradual investment in Indonesia," Abdurrahman
said without specifying the type of investments in question.

Abdurrahman said the emir had also agreed to assist Indonesia
with a loan scheme, details which would be discussed at a joint
committee meeting next year.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab, who accompanied the
President, said Kuwaiti officials would visit Jakarta in the near
future to examine several projects funded by the Kuwait
government through the Kuwait Fund.

When asked whether Kuwaiti officials had queried Abdurrahman's
intention to establish trade ties with Israel, Alwi replied that
the topic "was not raised at all".

Abdurrahman, who arrived in Kuwait on Monday evening left on
Tuesday morning for the second stop of his three-nation Middle
Eastern tour.

He arrived in Doha, for a four-hour stopover and met with
Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah Al-Tani.

After the meeting the QNA reported that the two countries
agreed to raise diplomatic ties to the level of ambassadors.
Their respective embassies are currently headed by charges d'
affairs.

He then left for Amman where he is set to meet on Wednesday
with Jordanian King Abdullah and later with Palestinian President
Yasser Arafat. (04)