Soeharto returns home satisfied after 3-nation tour
Soeharto returns home satisfied after 3-nation tour
JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto upon arriving home yesterday
expressed satisfaction with his trip to Cambodia, Laos and
Myanmar, and hailed the tremendous potential of a 10-member ASEAN
and its combined population of 500 million.
"Those numbers boast huge potential, both as a market for
ASEAN products and human resources development," said Soeharto as
quoted by Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono.
After a week-long tour of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar,
Soeharto's plane touched down at Halim Perdanakusuma airport
yesterday afternoon.
He was accompanied by an entourage which included Moerdiono,
foreign minister Ali Alataar and two of the president's
daughters, Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana and Siti Hediati Prabowo.
The three-nation tour was primarily aimed at strengthening
economic ties. During his trip Soeharto also reaffirmed
Indonesia's strong support of the three countries' speedy
admission into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN).
Founded in 1967, ASEAN currently groups Brunei, Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines. Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
All seven members have confirmed that Cambodia, Laos and
Myanmar would be admitted, though the timing has been left vague.
Observers believe the three countries will be admitted this
year.
After arriving from Yangon, Soeharto said the inclusion of
three new members would turn ASEAN into a grouping with even
greater potential.
According to Moerdiono, Soeharto underlined the need to forge
stronger economic ties and to benefit from a counter-trade
system, which Indonesia has strongly favored in recent years.
Soeharto said he was impressed by the warm receptions given to
him in all three countries. "The President felt that such a
resounding welcome was not only in honor of him but of all
Indonesian people," Moerdiono remarked.
On his way to the airport in Yangon for his trip back to
Jakarta, hundreds of people waving Indonesian flags lined the
streets.
In discussions with the ruling military junta in Yangon, the
Indonesian delegation largely stayed away from political issues
and focused on economic cooperation.
ASEAN members have maintained an approach of "constructive
engagement" despite the West's calls for an isolationist policy.
Europe and the United States have condemned Yangon for
suppressing the country's pro-democracy movement led by Aung San
Suu Kyi, who has called on ASEAN to hold off on Myanmar's
admission.
During his three-day visit, Soeharto declared that Jakarta
would not interfere in Yangon's domestic affairs. (mds)