Taiwan FM here on private visit
Taiwan FM here on private visit
JAKARTA (JP): Taiwan Foreign Minister John Chang arrived in
town yesterday but Indonesian officials, in keeping with the
country's "One-China" policy, have refused to confirm his
presence.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas twice rebuffed
reporters who asked about the Taiwan minister's visit.
"There is no such visit," he replied sharply on both
occasions.
Chang's presence, apparently in a private rather than an
official capacity, has been kept under wraps with officials
pleading ignorance of his visit.
But informed sources said that Chang met Alatas yesterday
afternoon, and that later he and his entourage had a two-hour
meeting with State Minister of Research and Technology B.J.
Habibie at his office on Jl. M.H. Thamrin, Central Jakarta.
When journalists approached Habibie's office, public relations
officers confirmed that a Taiwan delegation would be meeting
Habibie.
However they said they had been instructed to refuse press
coverage of the visit which was meant to be discreet.
Despite close business contacts with Taiwan, Indonesia claims
to adhere to a "one-China" policy, only recognizing the
government in Beijing. Beijing considers Taiwan to be a renegade
province.
Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui once visited the resort island
of Bali in what government officials claim was a vacation. They
also claim he "accidentally" met President Soeharto who was also
on holiday there.
The informed sources revealed yesterday that Chang's visit
should also be looked upon as a private excursion and not in his
capacity as a foreign minister.
However, the sources admitted that political issues such as
the overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea were
mentioned in his meetings.
Apart from meeting Habibie and Alatas, Chang's agenda remained
a mystery as officials played a game of hide-and-seek with the
journalists trying to catch a glimpse of the Taiwan minister.
When asked, the Taiwan economic trade office was unable to
confirm his visit yesterday. (mds)