Soeharto meets Mahathir in KL

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)