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)