Soeharto unveils RI's plan to appoint consul in Zagreb

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto told visiting Croatian Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa yesterday that Indonesia is considering appointing an honorary consul in Zagreb.

Indonesia, which recognized Croatian independence on May 16, 1992, does not have an official representative office in its capital of Zagreb. Representation is accredited to the Indonesian Embassy in Hungary.

Croatia formally opened its embassy here in March; Zeljko Kirincic is its first ambassador.

"We are now considering appointing an honorary consul to Zagreb quickly," Soeharto said in an address at the state banquet held for Matesa at the State Palace. The President did not elaborate who the nominees would be.

Soeharto also expressed hope that the private business sectors of Indonesia and Croatia would take concrete steps to realize the economic agreements the two governments will sign this morning.

"We hope the private sector will play an active role in forging trade ties promoting the two countries' export activities," the President was quoted by Antara as saying.

Soeharto said Croatia and Indonesia have strong potentials in both natural and human resources which can be exploited to the maximum to strengthen relations.

The President also noted the two countries were trying to formulate several other bilateral agreements on trade, investment and double taxation avoidance.

Matesa arrived here yesterday for a state visit which will conclude on March 2. His visit is not only aimed at boosting the two countries' economic ties but also at strengthening overall relations.

Matesa is accompanied by Minister of Economic Affairs Davor Stern, Minister of Tourism Niko Bulic and Minister of Sea Transportation Zeljko Lvzavec.

This morning, Matesa will conduct official talks with Soeharto. Following their 90-minute parley, the two leaders will witness the signing of an agreement on economic and technical cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement will be signed by Stern and Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas.

During the state banquet, Soeharto also hailed the peace agreement signed in Dayton, USA, by the Balkan states.

"We believe the Dayton agreement, which was also signed by Croatia, has helped create peace and stability in the Balkan region," said Soeharto who visited Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina in 1995.

Croatia and Bosnia are former members of Yugoslavia.

Earlier yesterday, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono pointed out that Croatia could serve as a gateway for Indonesian products into Eastern Europe. (mds)