---------------------------------------------------------- Visit Indonesia Daily News Online HomePage: http://www.indo-news.com/ Please Visit Our Sponsor http://www.indo-news.com/cgi-bin/ads1 ---------------------------------------------------------- ANTARA, JULY 24 1999 Views: RI's Reform Process Very Positive, Egyptian Envoy Says Jakarta, July 24 <ANTARA>- Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Indonesia, Abdel Rahim Shalaby, views Indonesia's reform process as very positive, despite some "side effects." "A lot had been done in the past year (on) press freedom, the fight against KKN (corruption, collusion and nepotism), and (observance of) human rights. The general election was a great succes," he told ANTARA here Friday. Shalaby, who visited about 20 voting stations during the June 7 polls with a group of Egyptian observers and journalist, considered the elction fair, free and peaceful. "In my personal view, Habibie has done a lot in the past year-- something that other people might not be able to do in a much longer time. He is very liberal and reform-minded," said the envoy who arrived in Indonesia two days after former president, Soeharto, stepped down. "I do not see status quo in Habibie. I am sure he is not status quo," he said, citing Habibie's initiatives on direct presidential elections, press freedom, the amendment of the 1945 Constitution, new bills on autonomy and revenue sharing, as examples of his reform attitude. He said Egypt intends to boost its ties with Indonesia, including by intensifying high-level contacts, such as between both countries ministers and private sectors. "Bilateral relations are on the right track and will continue as such, regardless of who will lead the country," he said in an interview on the occasion of the National Day of Egypt, which fell on July 23. Despite the rapid changes in Indonesia, he said the Indonesian and Egyptian governments will continue to conduct political coordination reginally and internationally, through such groupings as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the G-15, G-8, G-77 and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). Egypt is participating in the UN Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) by sending a six-member team, comprising five captains and one major. The ambassador has visited East Timor twice and is planning to go again to keep in touch with the Egyptian civilian police officers who joined the UNAMET. Trade In the trade sector, Shalaby said bilateral trade between Indonesia and Egypt increased from US$ 215 million in 1997 to US$ 240 million in 1998. In the first six months of this year, the value marked an increase compared to that in the same period last year, he said. "This year, the value is likely to be up 10.5 percent, with a total value of US$ 260 million," he said. The two-way trade favors Indonesia, but Egypt will not try to balance it until Indoensia fully recovers from its economic crisis, he noted. "That is one way for us to help Indonesia. Of the total value of US$ 240 million in 1997, US$ 234 milliom was for Indonesia's exports, and only US$ 6 million was for Egypt," Shalaby said. Indonesia exports mostly plywood, rubber and garments to Egypt. Join ventures in palm oil refinery and high-voltage towers are being finalized, while the two countries are studying new options. In the education sector, the University of Al Azhar has sent 60 scholars to teach in Indonesia. (T.p6/int-cl/13:12/24/07/99 14:49/tb04) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Didistribusikan tgl. 28 Jul 1999 jam 07:47:49 GMT+1 oleh: Indonesia Daily News Online <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://www.Indo-News.com/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
