RI, S. Africa continue quiet diplomacy

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.