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( Indonesia, Philippines reiterate



( Indonesia, Philippines reiterate concern on Anwar)

 BATAM, Indonesia, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Indonesian President B.J. Habibie met
his Philippine counterpart  Joseph Estrada on an island near Singapore on
Tuesday and both reiterated common worries about Malaysia, officials said. 

 "The two presidents reiterated their concern about what was happening
there and expressed the  sincere hope that this present situation can be
quickly overcome by the Malaysian government," Indonesian  Foreign Minister
Ali Alatas told reporters after the one-hour meeting on Batam island. 

 But he did not name Malaysia's dismissed finance and deputy prime minister
Anwar Ibrahim, who is a good friend of both Habibie and Estrada. 

 "We do not interfere (in the affairs of) other sovereign countries,"
Alatas added when  asked for details. "We do not tell each other what to do
with regard to  internal developments." 

 But both Manila and Jakarta have expressed displeasure over Anwar's
dismissal and arrest last  month on charges of sodomy and corruption. 

 Habibie cancelled a planned visit to Malaysia, which was to be his first
overseas  trip since taking office in May. Indonesian officials said he had
pressing domestic engagements. 

 But Habibie made time to visit Estrada on Batam, a short ferry ride from  
Singapore, where the Philippine president was on a four-day visit. 

 Estrada has criticised Anwar's arrest and previously suggested he may not
attend the Asia-Pacific  Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Kuala Lumpur
next month. On Monday he said he would  probably go. 

 Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon told reporters in
Batam that Estrada would attend.  

 "APEC is important for the Philippines and for ASEAN," he said. "Malaysia
is the  host so we have committed to be present." 

 Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia are all members of the Association
of South East  Asian Nations. 

 Alatas said Indonesia had yet to decide whether to attend the APEC summit. 

 He said the two leaders discussed several other issues, including
expanding economic relations and  trade.