Soeharto rests in Cancun, ready for APEC summit
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.