Vanuatu PM to arrive on Sunday

JAKARTA (JP): The Prime Minister of Vanuatu, Maxime Carlot Korman, will arrive in Indonesia on Sunday for a three-day official visit which will be highlighted by the opening of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Relations between Indonesia and Vanuatu are presently conducted through Indonesian embassies in Canberra and Port Moresby and through Indonesia's permanent representative office at the United Nations in New York.

Located in the Southwest Pacific, the former Anglo-French colony of New Hebrides gained independence in 1980 as the Republic of Vanuatu.

Under the invitation of President Soeharto, Korman's arrival will mark the first time a Vanuatu head of government has made an official visit to Indonesia. However, in a private capacity, Korman came to Indonesia in December 1994 to visit Jakarta and Bali.

During a scheduled meeting at Merdeka Palace on Monday, Soeharto and Korman are expected to tackle various issues of mutual concern between the two countries.

International issues are also expected to gain attention in the meeting as both countries are members of the 112-nation Non- Aligned Movement as well as the Group of 77 countries.

Included in Korman's itinerary is a visit to the state-owned aircraft manufacturing company, PT IPTN, in Bandung, West Java.

According to Indonesian Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, one hindrance to better economic relations is the lack of a direct air or sea link between Indonesia and Vanuatu.

In addition, Vanuatu's small, predominantly Melanesian population of 175,000 has a very limited market potential for Indonesian exports. (mds)