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.