Susilo seeks a meeting with Bush

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.