Soeharto meets Mahathir in KL

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's President Soeharto and Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia will hold a 90-minute meeting in Kuala Lumpur this morning to discuss issues of mutual concern, including the overlapping claims over Sipadan and Ligitan islands.

Soeharto arrived at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Subang airport in a private plane yesterday afternoon. He was accompanied by an entourage of nearly 50 people, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono.

Mahathir, accompanied by Malaysian Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi, met the entourage at the airport.

The two leaders greeted each other with great warmth. They were seen laughing several times. The amiable atmosphere was also evident among other delegates who were obviously very familiar with each other.

Antara reported that Soeharto was greeted by traditional Javanese gamelan music as he walked with Mahathir. From the airport, they proceeded to the Istana Hotel where Soeharto is staying.

After resting yesterday, Soeharto attended a dinner reception hosted by Mahathir. Afterward, they were treated to a cultural performance.

Soeharto is also scheduled to have lunch with Malaysian head of state, Tuanku Ja'afar Abdul Rahman before returning to Jakarta.

The visit has been described by officials as part of the periodic consultations between heads of government of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) of which both countries are founding members.

While there is no specific agenda for this meeting, the overlapping claims involving Sipadan and Ligitan will be among topics discussed, Alatas was quoted by Antara as saying.

The dispute centers around two tiny islands just off the northeastern cost of Kalimantan. Despite the work of a joint committee and efforts by special envoys, negotiations have reached an impasse.

Another thorny matter is the problem associated with the 1.5 million Indonesian laborers working in Malaysia.

Regional issues to be discussed include next month's Asia- Pacific Economic Leaders Meeting in Manila.

The two leaders last met when Mahathir came to pay his respects at the late Mrs. Tien Soeharto's funeral in April. Prior to that the two leaders had met at the Asia Europe Meeting in Bangkok in March.

Soeharto, who is officially in Kuala Lumpur on the invitation of Mahathir, was last in Malaysia in 1993. (mds)