Why Should Indonesia Still Expect Obama's Visit?




President of the United States Barack Obama is expected to come to Indonesia before the end of 2010 after he has earlier canceled his two previous planned visits, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said.

"In his opening speech at the UN General Assembly this morning, one of Obama’s statements contained an announcement that he would visit Indonesia in the near future," Marty told the press here on Thursday or early Wednesday in Indonesia.

The foreign affairs minister made the statement during a press conference led by Vice President Boediono which was also attended by Head of the Indonesian Capital Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Gita Wirjawan, Chief of the Presidential Working Unit for Development Control and Supervision (UKP4) Kuntoro Mangkusubroto and Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Dino Patti Djalal.

"Obama’s planned visit to Indonesia would be as part of his tour of a number of countries like India," Marty said.

Although Obama has canceled his two previous visits, Indonesia would prepare everything based on the standing procedures for his coming visit. Marty said that Obama’s planned visit indicated that Indonesia remained an important and a priority country to visit for the United States.

Asked on the certainty of Obama’s visit to Indonesia, Marty diplomatically said he could not ascertain whether or not the plan would be canceled again.

"I have no idea what would happen in the coming several months, where a plan cannot be realized. But we will remain to prepare for his planned visit," the foreign minister said.

Obama has canceled his plan visit to Indonesia on March 23, 2010 over a health bill issue. He again canceled his planned visit on July 13-19 due to an environmental problem offshore Lousiana as a result of an oil spill in the gulf of Mexico.