Soeharto to expand relations with Syria

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia and Syria agreed yesterday to expand bilateral ties beyond simply political support for one another by moving into economic and cultural fields.

A series of agreements were signed yesterday by officials of the two countries, witnessed by President Soeharto and Syrian Prime Minister Mahmoud Al-Zoubi.

During a meeting earlier, Al-Zoubi assured Soeharto of Syria's recognition of East Timor's integration with Indonesia.

"Syria regards East Timor as an integral part of Indonesia," Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono quoted Al-Zoubi as telling Soeharto.

Soeharto had reiterated Indonesia's support for the struggle of Arab nations to regain their territories now occupied by Israel, Moerdiono said, citing Syria's Golan Heights, Southern Lebanon and the West Bank as examples.

The two leaders agreed to bolster trade and economic ties because trade between Indonesia and Syria was still too small, Moerdiono said.

Five agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed yesterday. They were for the promotion and protection of investment, the avoidance of double taxation, the establishment of bilateral consultation, cooperation on information and cooperation in tourism.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas signed for Indonesia while Syria was represented by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Naser Kaddour, Minister of Finance Moh. Khaled Al-Mahayni and Minister of Economy and External Trade Mohammad Al-Imadi.

Later in the day, another agreement was signed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to regulate cultural exchange programs between the two countries for the next three years.

The leaders also agreed to exchange visits of top government officials and private entrepreneurs, according to Moerdiono.

Bank Indonesia Governor Soedradjad Djiwandono was planning to send a team to Damascus soon to discuss banking cooperation to help finance bilateral trade, he said.

Indonesian Ambassador to Syria Djamaris Suleman said that most Indonesian companies were still reluctant to trade with Syria. "Even the National Agency for Promotion of Exports has not put Syria in its priority list," Djamaris said.

Al-Zoubi and Soeharto attended Friday prayers at the Baiturrahim mosque inside the Presidential Palace compound.

This morning, Al-Zoubi will travel to Bandung, West Java, to visit the plant of PT IPTN, the state aircraft manufacturer, before proceeding to Bali where he will spend the weekend.

He will fly back to Damascus on Monday. (06)