RI and S. Africa agree to boost bilateral ties

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)