RI, S. Africa continue quiet diplomacy
By Kornelius Purba
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (JP): Visiting President Soeharto and South Africa's President Nelson Mandela agreed yesterday to continue their quiet diplomacy and avoid publicity in the search for international settlement on the East Timor issue.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas reaffirmed Mandela's statement that the two heads of governments have agreed that the results of their discussion would remain confidential.
"As you have heard directly from Mandela just now, at this very sensitive stage the two presidents agreed not to make any statements which can destroy their efforts or discussion on that issue," Alatas said after the two presidents' meeting at Tuynhuys Presidential Palace.
Speaking in a joint press conference with Soeharto after concluding their bilateral talks, Mandela said the meeting was very fruitful, as was their previous meeting in July in Jakarta.
Mandela said he was confident that he would be able to achieve a significant breakthrough in assisting Indonesia in finding international settlement on the East Timor issue.
"I am confident that we are making progress in finding a solution to all of the problems ... We are discussing very sensitive issues as we did in Jakarta where I was warmly welcomed by President Soeharto," Mandela said.
"He (Soeharto) was very generous in giving me a rare opportunity to meet with Xanana during my visit, and this is really a breakthrough," Mandela said.
Soeharto made a brief statement on the importance of bilateral relations between the two countries.
"We fully support South Africa's election as host for next year's Non-Aligned Movement summit and I have offered all necessary assistance to President Mandela," Soeharto said.
When a journalist asked Soeharto what he plans to do to solve the East Timor issue, Mandela interrupted the journalist and said: "I appeal to all of you not to raise questions on that issue ... we are capable of making progress."
President Soeharto and his entourage arrived in Cape Town yesterday afternoon from Windhoek, Namibia. Soeharto will stay in Cape Town until Saturday before leaving to Vancouver, Canada.
After the press conference, a group of primary school children greeted Mandela and Soeharto outside the palace gate. "Mr. Mandela, we love you," said the children.
Soeharto and Mandela approached the children. Mandela said: "If you study diligently then you can become a president like us."
Mandela sang "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and Soeharto also sang softly.
"You are the best singer," Soeharto said in English to Mandela.
Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono said that Soeharto's visit to Cape Town was meant to reciprocate Mandela's visit to Jakarta in July.
"I want to emphasize again that the main purpose of this visit is an exchange visit. On East Timor, I do not want to give further comment as Mandela himself has made a clear statement," Moerdiono said.
In yesterday's meeting, Soeharto and Mandela agreed to boost bilateral trade relations.
"A joint commission on economics between Indonesia and South Africa will be led by the Coordinating Minister for Production and Distribution Hartarto and South Africa's Vice President Thabo Mbeki," Moerdiono said.
Indonesian journalists pressed Alatas further on East Timor. "I do not want to speak out of line because President Soeharto and Mandela have agreed at this stage not to give any statement," Alatas said.