Vietnam President lobbies to join ASEAN

Vietnam President lobbies to join ASEAN

JAKARTA (JP): Vietnamese President Le Duc Anh yesterday
campaigned President Soeharto to ensure the speedy inclusion of
his country into the Association of South East Asian Nations
(ASEAN).

"Vietnam is making great efforts to prepare so as to be able
to become a full member of ASEAN," Anh said during a banquet at
the State Palace last night.

The current climate of the region was highly conducive to the
achievement of a firm foundation for cooperation, he added.

Le Duc Anh arrived yesterday morning to a rainy reception
where he was met by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas at the
Halim Perdanakusuma airport.

The incessant rain denied Anh the traditional military
reception at Merdeka Palace where he was greeted by a much
simplified palace guard salute at the palace terrace by President
Soeharto and Vice-President Try Sutrisno.

During his first-ever visit here, the 74-year old Anh was
accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cam,
Minister of Food and Agriculture Nguyen Cong Tan and Minister of
Trade Le Van Triet.

The acceptance of Vietnam, along with Laos, as the newest
members of the Association has long been suggested. Now, it
appears to be a likely reality, especially with recent comments
from Alatas saying it was only a matter of time before ASEAN
grants them full membership.

ASEAN is made up of Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei, the
Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore. Vietnam and Laos currently
hold observer status in the Association.

President Soeharto, in his speech, stopped short of publicly
acknowledging Vietnam's acceptance when he said, "I'm sure the
Vietnamese government can see the many opportunities that can be
acquired through close regional cooperation."

Despite Soeharto's cautious remark, government officials have
openly stated Indonesia's support in the past.

Alatas again echoed Indonesia's commitment when he answered
reporters questions yesterday. "From the beginning we have had
no qualms, no political or ideological reservations ... it's just
a matter of synchronizing economic considerations."

Anh is scheduled to hold a two-hour meeting with Soeharto this
morning where the issue of bilateral relations will be the main
focus.

The two major topics of discussion are the fate of Vietnamese
boat people on Galang island and the demarcation of a disputed
continental shelf in the South China Sea.

Over 8,000

There are currently over 8,000 boat people on Galang which
Indonesia owns and would like vacated so it can be developed into
a bonded industrial zone.

Talks to discuss plans for repatriation have met with strong
resistance with over 500 Vietnamese boat people in Galang who
went on a hunger strike on the eve of Anh's visit.

The demarcation of the continental shelf near Indonesia's
Natuna island also has high economic stakes, since the disputed
area is located directly adjacent to a natural gas reserve and is
thus assumed to be rich in resources.

Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono and Alatas have both
played-down the issue saying it would merely be one of the many
topics of the overall discussion to increase bilateral ties.

Clear efforts to cultivate cooperation began yesterday with
the Vietnamese Minister of Trade attending a luncheon with the
Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Tomorrow a memorandum of understanding on tourism will be
signed by the two countries followed by a tour of the Indonesia
in Miniature Beautiful Park (TMII). (07)