Soeharto to attend G-15 Summit

Soeharto to attend G-15 Summit

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto will leave for Cairo on
Saturday morning for a one-week visit for the Group of 15 Summit,
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas said yesterday.

The President will attend the three-day summit beginning
Monday and stay on in Cairo for a state visit.

"This will be the President's first overseas trip after his
reelection in March," Alatas said after attending a monthly
cabinet meeting at Bina Graha presidential office.

When announcing the list of his cabinet in March, the
President disclosed that Vice President B.J. Habibie would assist
him in international meetings. Habibie represented him during the
Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in London last month.

The summit is expected to discuss the current world situation,
including the international money market and monetary situation
in developing countries, Alatas noted.

Established in 1989, the G-15 comprises Indonesia, Egypt,
Malaysia, Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India, Jamaica,
Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. Kenya was
admitted as a new member during the last summit in Kuala Lumpur
in November last year.

This will be Soeharto's second visit to Cairo after one in the
1970s. Mubarak visited Jakarta in 1983.

Alatas said the two leaders in their bilateral talks would try
to find ways to boost bilateral trade, still small both in volume
and value.

According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, Indonesian
exports to Egypt totaled US$180.03 million in 1996, while its
imports amounted to only $9.8 million.

"During the state visit, ministers from the two countries are
also expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the
avoidance of double taxation," Alatas said.

Soeharto and his entourage, including Alatas and
Minister/State Secretary Saadilah Mursjid, are scheduled to
arrive back in Jakarta on May 16. (prb)