Indonesian president will not visit Israel

Indonesian Foreign Minister Alawi Shehab stressed on Friday that Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid had decided not to go to Israel next April.

In a press conference held in Jakarta, Shehab said that President Wahid was not serious when he told the Israeli minister of regional cooperation and development, Shimon Peres, that he will visit Israel, stressing that Wahid has no intention of making such a visit at the current phase.

Shehab continued that Wahid will visit Cuba in April and then will head for the US for medical treatment for his eyes.

Earlier this week, the Indonesian mass media quoted officials at the Indonesian Foreign Ministry as saying that Wahid is expected to visit Israel next April.