Soeharto rests in Cancun, ready for APEC summit
By Kornelius Purba
CANCUN, Mexico (JP): After a 16-hour trip from Cape Town, South Africa and an hour stopover for refueling in Rio de Janeiro, President Soeharto and his entourage arrived here Saturday evening local time to take a rest from their hectic schedule.
The President and his entourage, including Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas, will depart for Vancouver, Canada, today to attend the fifth Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders meeting in Vancouver.
President Soeharto concluded his three-day state visit to South Africa Saturday morning where President Nelson Mandela presented him with the country's highest medal for Soeharto's extraordinary services to his country and in enhancing relations with South Africa.
"He has given a meritorious services to his country and developing countries," Mandela said before presenting the Order of Good Hope.
There was no official statement from Moerdiono or Alatas on the honor, which was given just one hour before Soeharto's departure.
Journalists accompanying Soeharto on his 12-day overseas trip were given an opportunity to congratulate the President on board the Garuda MD-11 jetliner.
Moerdiono introduced all the journalists to Soeharto. When introducing a female reporter from weekly Gatra, the minister jokingly identified her as a Tempo reporter.
"Bapak President I am not from Tempo but from Gatra," said the journalist.
"Yes, I know that you are from Gatra," Soeharto said smiling.
Tempo weekly was banned by the government just a few months before Indonesia hosted the second APEC summit in Bogor, West Java, in November 1994.
The journalist worked for Tempo before the closure, and then joined Gatra.
The 76-year-old President appeared fit and relaxed, enjoying a recorded famous comedy group Srimulat show on board.
"Are you tired?" Soeharto asked journalists during refueling in Rio de Janeiro.
The MD-11 Garuda did not only provide classical music or western pop music but also the popular dangdut music which is rarely provided on a presidential flight.
Demonstration
The Canadian government has assured Soeharto's safety during his visit after fears that non-governmental organization activists could get too close to the President in planned demonstrations at the APEC leaders summit.
The demonstrations will not specifically target Indonesia in their protests, but also U.S. President Bill Clinton, China's President Jiang Zemin and other leaders.
"We trust the Canadian government will do its best to protect the President and other leaders," government officials said Saturday.
Apart from attending the summit, Soeharto is also scheduled to hold a 30-minute bilateral talk with Clinton Monday (Tuesday Jakarta time) at the Vancouver Trade Convention Center at the Pan Pacific Hotel.
Earlier in the morning he will receive Australian Prime Minister John Howard at the President's suite, followed by a meeting with New Zealand's Prime Minister Jim Bolger.
After meeting with Clinton, he will attend a working lunch for leaders of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), which will be followed by a meeting with Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.
Soeharto will leave for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Tuesday evening for a private religious visit with his family members.
The President and his entourage will arrive home Saturday afternoon.