Taiwan prime minister in town

Taiwan prime minister in town

JAKARTA (Reuters): Taiwan Premier Vincent Siew arrived in
Indonesia yesterday for private talks about Asia's financial
turmoil.

Siew arrived from Singapore on a commercial flight and was
kept well away from waiting journalists. He was later taken to an
unknown destination with a small police escort.

Siew told reporters during a brief stopover in Singapore that
the visit was out of economic concern and not for political
reasons. "I must emphasize we have no political intentions," he
said, adding he had no immediate plans to meet Indonesia's
President Soeharto.

Taiwan's official Central News Agency has, however, said
Soeharto would meet Siew to discuss Asia's financial crisis,
risking a diplomatic protest from Beijing.

However, officials attached to Soeharto's office refused to
give any details about a possible meeting with Siew.

Taipei has no official relations with any of the Southeast
Asian nations, all of which recognize Beijing's communist
government.

Although Indonesia adopts the "One China" policy, it has
conducted brisk economic and trade ties with Taiwan.