DOORSTOP INTERVIEW, SINGAPORE
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.