Indonesia explains Chen's stopover, considers South Korean nuke deal

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Thu, 06/15/2006 1:12 PM

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In an effort to placate China, Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda visited Beijing recently to explain the circumstances surrounding Taiwan President Chen Shui-bian's stopover on Batam island in May.

""Taiwan is a very sensitive issue for China so I went there to explain what was really happened. We regretted the incident. They can understand the situation,"" he told reporters after speaking at a seminar on human rights in Jakarta on Wednesday.

He told Chinese officials Chen's overnight stopover last month on Batam island was a landing only and not an overnight stay.

""I have also convinced them of our 'One China Policy',"" Hassan said, referring to Indonesia's decision to acknowledge China but not Taiwan.

China considers Taiwan to be a renegade province.

Chen made a stopover on Batam for refueling purposes on his way home from a visit to Latin America, but it was reported Chen and his entourage toured the island and met with businesspeople for trade purposes.

Beijing officially protested to Jakarta about the stopover, as it regards Taiwan as Chinese territory, despite it being ruled separately since the end of a civil war in 1949, and opposes any overseas visits by Taiwanese leaders.

Besides Beijing, Hassan also visited Seoul to prepare the ground work for the signing of a nuclear agreement with South Korea during President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's visit there next month

Hassan said during his previous visit to South Korea he had conducted bilateral talks with his South Korean counterpart, Ban Ki-moon, and other officials to finalize several documents, including an agreement on cooperating in the development of nuclear power.

""I prepared for the visit of President Yudhoyono to South Korea in July. During his visit, hopefully he can witness the signing of several agreements, including cooperation in nuclear power,"" he said.

In an effort to provide alternatives to its decreasing fossil-based energy resources, Indonesia plans to build a nuclear reactor in Muria, Central Java. However, the country needs assistance as it currently does not posses the necessary technology.

Several countries, including Japan, France, and the U.S. have submitted proposals but the government is still studying them.

During the visit of Ban to Jakarta in April, he offered Indonesia assistance in developing nuclear technology. He said South Korea was the leader in the sector as it had 20 nuclear energy plants in operation.

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