RI and U.S. seek input on future of relations

RI and U.S. seek input on future of relations

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia-United States relations toward the
21st century was discussed in a seminar at the Indonesian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday.

The aim of the seminar was to gather input from a wide range
of individuals as a source of consideration in the implementation
of Indonesian foreign policy towards the U.S.

The seminar was opened by the Director General of Political
Affairs Izhar Ibrahim and attended by government officials,
diplomats, academics and businesspeople.

The three main speakers were U.S. Ambassador to Jakarta
Stapleton Roy, political observer Hasnan Habib and economist
Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti.

Hasnan presented a paper titled The Framework of U.S.
Political and Security Policy in Asia Pacific, while Dorodjatun
spoke on the prospect of economic, trade and investment relations
between the two countries.

The seminar was organized by the foreign ministry's
directorate of American affairs and its research and development
division.

The foreign ministry said at the seminar yesterday that apart
from the great progress achieved since the two countries
established diplomatic ties 46 years ago, the two sides continue
to try and harmonize their perceptions on various political,
economic, trade, environmental and social issues.

Apart from that the two countries also continuously discuss
and exchange views on human rights issues and democratization
which include the question of freedom of speech and the right to
associate.

Other topics include the establishment of international sea
lanes through Indonesia's archipelagic territory and the
international military and training program which are mutually
beneficial. (mds)