Subjects: visit to Indonesia
E&OE...........
JOURNALIST:
Prime Minister, what';s your reaction to Mr Rais';s comments and what is the status of our relationship with Indonesia?
PRIME MINISTER:
Well the claims Mr Rais made that we';d accused the Indonesian Government of people smuggling, that claim is wrong. The other is also wrong – the allegation that we don';t support the national integrity of the Indonesian Republic, that we are fomenting fragmentation that';s wrong also. Look it';s his decision. It won';t make any difference at all to the visit. I';m leaving for Jakarta this afternoon. I';m having a lengthy meeting with the President. We';re having dinner tonight and we';ll have further discussions there and I';m looking forward to the visit. It';s an important relationship and one that I';m sure will benefit from this visit.
JOURNALIST:
And there are other senior politicians who you aren';t meeting. Is that something that concerns you also?
PRIME MINISTER:
No it doesn';t really. I think you should perhaps ask some questions inside Indonesia as to the reasons for that. But I';m untroubled. Thank you.
[ends]