Susilo seeks a meeting with Bush
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has added United States President George W. Bush to his list of world leaders he would like to talk to on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Chile this weekend.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda said recently Susilo had instructed him to arrange bilateral talks with Bush after the two presidents expressed readiness to meet.
"We are trying to arrange the schedule, but the intention from both sides to talk has been confirmed. We have set a time that suits both presidents," Hassan said after a meeting with Susilo last week.
Susilo called Bush on Nov. 9 to congratulate him on his reelection.
Hassan said Susilo and Bush would share priority programs of their respective administrations following their election victory.
"We would like to discuss the programs so that we can arrange and determine in which fields we can cooperate in the future," said Hassan, who will accompany Susilo during the summit.
Hassan said the ongoing military embargo imposed by Washington on Jakarta would be one of the topics of the discussion. Restoration of military cooperation between the two countries is the main job of new defense minister Juwono Sudarsono, who has arranged a visit to the U.S. for early next year.
Former president Megawati Soekarnoputri was among the first world leaders to visit Bush following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S.
Bush made a brief visit to Bali last year to confirm Washington's commitment to helping Indonesia fight terrorism.
During his three-day stay in Santiago, Susilo also expects to hold bilateral talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, South Korean President Roh Muh Hyun, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and the host Chilean President Ricardo Lagos.
Susilo will depart on Nov. 18 for his first overseas trip since taking office, and will arrive home on Nov. 23.