RI and S. Africa agree to boost bilateral ties

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's President Soeharto and South African President Nelson Mandela held talks yesterday on strengthening economic and political ties including a general exchange of views on the East Timor issue.

After a 90-minute discussion at Merdeka Palace, Indonesian Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said: "The two leaders agreed to boost trade relations by involving the private sector".

He added that the bilateral trade volume was still small.

Mandela arrived in Jakarta Monday for a three-day state visit, his third to Indonesia.

The economic highlight of the visit was the signing of an agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation by Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and his counterpart A.B. Nzo. It was witnessed by Mandela and Soeharto.

Indonesia's non-oil exports to South Africa stood at US$167 million in 1996 and its imports totaled $108 million.

Mandela also said yesterday that his country would not hesitate to export arms to Indonesia if they were to be used for external defense.

During the talks the two leaders also touched on the East Timor issue.

Soeharto briefed the South African president on the development of Indonesia's youngest province.

According to Moerdiono, Mandela fully understood Soeharto's explanation.

Mandela told journalists that he had raised the issue because the question of East Timor was being discussed around the world.

"It would have been surprising if I had not discussed the issue with the President. As a general question, the context has been raised especially in regard to human rights questions," Mandela said.

When asked whether his country supported Indonesia's integration of East Timor, Mandela replied that as a member of the United Nations, South Africa follows the world body's position.

East Timor was integrated into Indonesia in 1976, a move which has not been recognized by the UN, which still regards Portugal as the administrating power.

Mandela hoped that the problem could be resolved peacefully through negotiations, but emphasized that he would not dictate to Indonesia over what it should do.

Friendship

However he said as a friend he was ready to share his experience with his host. "We will not take advantage of our friendship with Indonesia to prescribe what they should do."

Citing his own experience against apartheid, Mandela said: "If we had not engaged in dialog we would still not have been free today."

Mandela also solicited Indonesia's support for its bid to host the 2004 summer Olympics.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the Non-Aligned Movement summit which will be hosted by South Africa next year.

Throughout his visit Mandela continuously praised Indonesia for its support in the struggle against apartheid, saying that Soeharto was one of the great contributors to its downfall.

Soeharto donated $10 million in cash when Mandela came in 1990 as vice chairman of the African National Congress.

When asked why he loves Indonesian batik, Mandela replied smilingly: "It is a matter of taste ... you wear ties because you like ties."

Mandela departs for Bangkok this morning. (06)