Susilo cites fuel crisis for postponed trips
Susilo cites fuel crisis for postponed trips
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono asked for understanding from
the governments of China, Thailand and Brunei over the
postponement of his planned state visits due to the lingering
fuel shortages at home.
"I have asked for understanding from the leadership of China,
Thailand and Brunei (due to the postponement) through the
available diplomatic channels," he said during a press conference
in his office on Monday.
The president was initially scheduled to visit the three
countries from July 13 to July 20.
"I asked for the postponement until the fuel (shortage)
problem could be settled. I would rather stay home for a while to
lead, control and monitor the government's efforts until the fuel
shortage is better managed," Susilo said, adding that officials
from Indonesia and the three countries must coordinate the
rescheduling.
The only reason for the postponement, he reiterated, was
because of the fuel issue.
"The visits remain very important because Thailand and Brunei
are our fellow ASEAN members as well as good friends and close
partners of Indonesia," Susilo said.
Similar comments were used to describe China. He said the
relations between Indonesia and China had been "getting stronger
and better following the declaration of a strategic partnership,
which was made when (China's) President Hu Jintao visited
Indonesia earlier this year."
Susilo did not speak about the response, if any, over the
postponement.
The postponement of state visits is not new to Susilo. He was
forced to postpone his visit to Australia, New Zealand and East
Timor (Timor Leste) in March following an 8.7-magnitude
earthquake affecting Nias and Simeuleu islands.
He chose to go instead to the islands, which were also
affected by the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami. His trips to the
neighboring countries were taken in April.
Susilo said that he had already broken with a tradition that
newly elected presidents in the country visit member nations of
ASEAN soon after he or she is elected.
"I postponed the visits during my first 100 days in office. I
only went to Chile for the APEC Summit and Laos for the ASEAN
Summit, (both of which) were a must," he explained.
The president visited Malaysia and Singapore in February.
Susilo raised his optimism that the government would be able
to settle the fuel shortage problem by the end of July. He also
asserted that the government would not increase the fuel prices
in the near future.
He claimed that the domestic fuel stock had been improving,
pointing out that as of Monday it had reached a level for an
18.2-day supply. He is optimistic that it could reach the ideal
level of at least 22.2-day supply by the end of the month.