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.