Fed: Howard to visit Indonesia in February or March

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2001
Fed: Howard to visit Indonesia in February or March

CANBERRA, Dec 4 AAP - Prime Minister John Howard expects to visit Indonesia again in
February or March as the two countries continue to work on a solution to the influx of
asylum seekers.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda visited Australia last week and warned
Australia could not continue processing fresh illegal arrivals in Pacific nations such
as Nauru and Papua New Guinea.

Mr Howard told an informal gathering of journalists at his annual press gallery Christmas
drinks last night that visiting Indonesia was one of his priorities for the new year.

He said he hoped to go in February or March, but his office said no dates had been confirmed.

Mr Howard also said parliament would resume on February 11 or 12.

During Dr Wirayuda's visit, he secured Australian agreement to co-host with Jakarta
a regional conference on illegal migration in February.

Mr Howard last visited Indonesia in August and was the first world leader to visit
new President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

But relations were strained within a month when Mr Howard demanded the Norwegian freighter
Tampa take its load of rescued asylum seekers back to Indonesia, with Mrs Megawati refusing
to return his calls.

However Mrs Megawati has written to Mr Howard since the coalition's third election
win to congratulate him on his victory and urge stronger ties between the two countries.

AAP kmh/daw/las

KEYWORD: INDON HOWARD

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