Erwida Maulia , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 02/12/2010 10:07 AM | National
US President Barack Obama will include a visit to Borobudur, Indonesia’s largest Buddhist monument, in Magelang, Central Java, in his tour to the country next month. Indonesian Justice and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar said Thursday that Obama’s Indonesian visit would take place from March 20 to 22. Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto, however, said the date was still tentative. “President Obama’s visit is scheduled to take place in the second or third week of March. His schedule here is still being discussed by Indonesian and US officials,” Djoko told a press conference after a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office, which discussed, among others, the Obama visit. Djoko said as of Thursday, officials from the two countries had agreed that while in Jakarta, Obama would pay a visit to Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in South Jakarta, pay a courtesy call and have a bilateral meeting with his Indonesian counterpart, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
He is also scheduled to attend a state dinner, and have a “nostalgic” tour of Menteng in Central Jakarta. Obama spent a few years of his childhood in Jakarta. He went to two schools in Jakarta, one of them being state elementary school SDN 01 Menteng. “We’ve also scheduled a speech, but the venue is still under discussion. We hope it can accommodate a large audience so Obama’s message can be understood,” Djoko added. Another location Obama will visit is Yogyakarta. Djoko said Obama wanted to show his wife and two daughters Indonesia’s “cultural side”. Borobudur, one of Indonesia’s seven UNESCO’s World Heritage, was built in the 8th century by the Syailendra Dynasti. Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo, Central Java Governor Bibit Waluyo and Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X were also present at the Cabinet meeting. Addressing security measures, the minister assured reporters that Obama’s visit would be treated similarly to that of other foreign heads of state.
“We’ll apply VIP security measures; the TNI [Indonesian military] will comprise the first layer and the National Police the second,” Djoko said. He added that the security measures would anticipate the possibility of protesters staging rallies during the visit. Obama will head to Australia following his Indonesian visit....(Extra note from the editor: A visit to New Zealand will definately NOT take place, as there might be a bunch of Cabe Rawit Growers hanging around somewhere enjoying the cabe rawit while consuming Tahu Goreng. President Obama surely will remember the taste of it and officials don't want to get surprised by the fact that an informal stopover could occur.)
vr 12 feb 2010 - 10:31
