US Govt Says Obama Arriving June 14, But Indonesian Officials Can’t Confirm

US Govt Says Obama Arriving June 14, But Indonesian Officials Can’t Confirm
Camelia Pasandaran & Ismira Lutfia

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/us-govt-says-obama-arriving-june-14-but-indonesian-officials-cant-confirm/377097

President Barack Obama’s long-awaited return to Indonesia is scheduled for June 14, the US State Department announced on its Web site, but officials in Jakarta couldn’t confirm the date.

Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said on Tuesday that the palace did not yet know when Obama would arrive. “So I can’t comment on others’ statement about it,” he said, adding that the comprehensive partnership agreement Obama and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono were due to sign during the visit was still being drafted. “It’s not final yet so I can’t tell you the details. We will announce it ahead of the visit.”

US Embassy spokesman Paul Belmont said “no exact dates have been announced, just mid-June.”

Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said it was unclear whether Indonesia or Australia would be Obama’s first stop on his trip to the region.

He added that he was unsure whether migrant workers issues would be part of the partnership agreement. “But it is an important issue for our country and we share common concerns on human trafficking,” he said.

Visiting last week, US Under Secretary of State Maria Otero met with officials and representatives of international nonprofit organizations working to combat trafficking here.

Obama’s visit to Indonesia, where he spent a few years of his childhood, had initially been set for March but was postponed so he could focus on pushing a landmark health reform bill through US Congress.

It was not known whether first lady Michele Obama and their two daughters would also come.