Soeharto to leave on 12-day trip

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto will embark on a 12-day overseas trip this Tuesday, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono announced yesterday.

He will visit Namibia, South Africa, Canada and Saudi Arabia.

"The President will start his trip with a state visit to Namibia, as an exchange for President Sam Nujoma's visit here in August," Moerdiono said Friday.

Soeharto and his entourage, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas and Moerdiono, will stay in the southwest African nation for two days until Nov. 20.

Next stop is Cape Town in South Africa for another two day- state visit.

"The President will use this opportunity to exchange views with President Nelson Mandela," Moerdiono said.

Mandela visited Jakarta in July of this year. During his trip, he extended an offer of help to find an international settlement on East Timor, the country's 27th province integrated in 1976.

During his visit here, Mandela also met with jailed East Timorese separatist leader Jose Alexandre "Xanana" Gusmao.

From Cape Town, Soeharto will continue on to Vancouver, Canada, to attend the fifth Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders meeting on Nov. 24-Nov. 25.

After attending the summit, Soeharto will leave on a private religious visit to Saudi Arabia.

"The President and his family members will perform an umroh pilgrimage (minor pilgrimage) to Mecca," Moerdiono said.

The presidential party returns to Jakarta on Nov. 29. (prb)