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Subject: IN: KMP - RI Supports Laos Admission to ASEAN
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Subject: IN: KMP - RI Supports Laos Admission to ASEAN
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INDONESIA-P
[Kompas Online]
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Thursday, 20 February 1997
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President Soeharto:
Indonesia supports Laos admittance in ASEAN
Vientiane, Kompas
President Soeharto reconfirmed Indonesia's stand to fully support the
Laotian wish to become a full member in ASEAN regional cooperation. This
confirmation was conveyed at the dinner with the President of Laos Nouhak
Phoumsavanh, Wednesday (19/2) evening at the National Board Building,
Vientiane.
President Nouhak Phoumsavanh said in his welcoming speech that both
countries and nations had the same aspirations, namely to build a peaceful,
happy and prosperous country for its people.
He also disclosed that both countries and nations had the ideals to
participate actively in forming a peaceful and advanced, prosperous world
society free from poverty. In this case Indonesia has shown a positive and
constructive role, and especially Indonesia's role had coloured the ASEAN
regional society and the
Non Alliance Movement.
According to Phoumsavanh, after 20 years of national reconstruction, the
Laotian government and people had with hard work succeeded to pass the
difficult periods caused by the war in the past. Particularly after the
implementation of renovations in economy, education and community's health
and culture, Laos has made various progresses.
Same experience
President Soeharto stated that both countries and nations had the same
experience in starting development. Indonesia started development on the
ruines due to the independence struggle against the colonialists and after
two decades of independence various fluctuations took place.
"Before we became a strong nation, we first succeeded to realize national
stability and than in the second half of the 1960's the Indonesian Nation
started to implement development together," said the Head of State.
Presently Indonesia is at the beginning of the second long term development
of 25 years which is expected to be the take off era. Economic development
is indeed given priority which does not mean that other aspects of life are
neglected.
Experience showed that cooperation either with developed or developing
foreign nations as partners has given big benefits.
Indonesia and Laos has signed cooperation on various agreements, among
others in technics, protection and promotion of investments, a memory of
understanding on tourism. Soon will also be signed MsOU on agriculture,
forestry and air communication.
Those various agreements and memoranda will become a base for better
cooperation of the two countries. The quick and dynamic changes in the world
implied the importance of cooperation between countries while closing
themselves against those changes is not possible anymore.
Therefore cooperation has to be increased with a mutual benefits and a fair
share. "And it is really gladdening that ASEAN which was established 30
years ago has shown various big benefits for its members," said the Head of
State. ASEAN has also developed an effective dialogue for understanding of
countries at other teritories.
This is evident from the various consultations performed during these times
and simultaneously shows ASEAN's concern for various world problems in other
territories. This also reflects world's recognition for the importance of
ASEAN.
On Indonesia's full support of the Peoples Democratic Republic of Laos
membership in ASEAN President Soeharto said, "We believe that the entering
of Laos in ASEAN will add firm cooperation between South East Asian nations
for the national prosperity of each ASEAN member and the creation of
security and peace and prosperity in South East Asia."
Leaving Cambodia
Meanwhile Kompas journalist Rien Kuntari reported yesterday morning that
exactly at 09.30 President Soeharto and his group took off from
international airport Pochentong Cambodia with Garuda Indonesia's Boeing 737
and landed at 11.10 local time at Wattay airport, Laos where he was welcomed
by the President of Laos Nouhak Phoumsavanh and other high officials.
Together they went by car to the Ho Kham Palace.
At the Ho Kham Palace President Soeharto was welcomed by the Minister at the
Presidential Office Thongdam Chantapone. Both presidents went together to
the platform for the ceremony. Then the anthems of the two countries were
played. The President shook hands with all the present officials before
returning to Ho Kham Palace to spend the night.
The first day the President received a courtesy call from the Vice President
of Laos Sisavath Keobounphan at the Ho Kham Palace, continued with a dinner,
toast and a Laotian art performance at the Pleneray Sesion Room of the
National Board.
On Thursday (20/2) the Head of State will place a floral wreath at the
Monument of the Unknown Soldier before having a private talk with President
Phoumsavanh at Ho Kham Palace, while at the same time there will be a talk
of high officials in a separate room. Than the President and group will
visit the Laotian Revolution Museum and the That Kuang Pagoda.
The third day , Friday (21/1), before departing for Yangon, Myanmar, the
Head of State will attend a Baci ceremony, namely a Laotian traditional
prayer for the President's safety at Ho Kham Palace.(*)