Susilo assures Japan safe investment in RI

Susilo assures Japan safe investment in RI

TOKYO (JP): Less than one month after sending Coordinating
Minister for the Economy Rizal Ramli to Japan, President
Abdurrahman Wahid dispatched another senior minister in his bid
to assure the Japanese government and businesspeople of safe
investment in Indonesia.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security
Affairs Gen. (ret) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who arrived here on
Sunday for a three-day visit, briefed participants of the Asian
Statesmen's Forum on the Indonesian government's efforts to
restore security, political stability and social order.

"My mission is to convince the Japanese government and private
companies that the situation in our country is not as bad as
described in the international media, although we acknowledge
that we are facing several unresolved problems," said Susilo on
Monday.

The minister's visit came after Rizal led a six-minister team
to Tokyo in mid-October to attend the Consultative Group on
Indonesia (CGI), which resulted in the group's pledge to give a
US$4.8 billion loan to Indonesia in the next fiscal year.

Japan, the largest donor and investor in Indonesia, received
the President in November last year and in June this year. Vice
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has also considered a Tokyo
visit, but the date for her arrival remains undecided.

Next month, about six ministers, including Minister of
Industry and Trade Lt. Gen. (ret.) Luhut Panjaitan, are expected
to come to Japan as investment flow remains slow from this
country.

In his keynote speech, Susilo briefed the problems in Aceh,
Irian Jaya, Maluku and West Timor. He said tension in the
problematic territories stemmed from a weakening of people's
solidarity and solidity as a nation.

"The government has done a lot to tackle these problems, but
the economic crisis which occurred in 1997 and 1998 has hindered
our efforts. It is interesting to note, however, that there is a
wide gap between people's high expectations and the ability of
the government to fulfill these demands," said Susilo.

He also acknowledged there was a growing disrespect toward
the law, which has been evident in many places, often in the form
of social disturbance and disobedience.

The minister said by learning from the mistakes of its
predecessor, the present government would make dialog and
negotiation a priority in settling conflicts.

"Firm action, including the use of force, is only the last
resort if the integrity and the sovereignty of the nation is
threatened," Susilo said.

The forum, held at the Imperial Hotel, was also attended by
Japanese politicians, including State Secretary Keizo Takemi,
academicians and Singapore's Minister of State for Communications
and Information Technology Lim Swee Say.

A minor misunderstanding nearly marred the conference when
Takemi told the media that the international community could
provide nonmilitary assistance to help Indonesia put an end to
the crisis, including the rampant violence in Irian Jaya, Aceh
and Maluku, by involving international non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) and United Nations organizations.

"I have to clarify this statement as this is very sensitive to
Indonesia, that these are completely our domestic matters," said
Susilo, who was seated next to Takemi.

Takemi was seen approaching Susilo and explaining to the
minister his real intention.

On Tuesday, Susilo is scheduled to meet with Minister of
Foreign Affairs Yohei Kano, Minister of Finance Kiichi Miyazawa,
the head of Japan Defense Agency (JDA) Kazuo Torashima, National
Police chief Setsuo Tanaka and Intelligence chief Toshiyuki
Takano. (prb)