Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono arrived at Atambua, the capital of Belu district on the western part of Timor Island, Thursday afternoon, for a two-day visit.

President Yudhoyono in the company of First Lady Ani Yudhoyono was welcomed by Belu district head Joaching Lopez upon arrival at the country`s eastern district to dedicate the Flabomara studying center.

After dedicating the facility the two took an opportunity to have a dialog with children in the center. "Keep studying and achieve your goals," Yudhoyono said to them.

Yudhoyono and delegation later visited the Satya Yudha Bakti Battalion 744 headquarters to give directives.

While he was still active in the military President Yudhoyono led the battalion from 1985 to 1988. At the time the headquarters was in Dili, East Timor.

Before arriving in Atambua, President Yudhoyono and entourage visited the center of agriculture counseling in Sukabitete in the subdistrict of Raimanuk.

On the occasion he heard the farmers` woes over the bad conditions of the irrigation facilities in the region. Upon hearing their complaints President Yudhoyono immediately called on officials concerned to immediately meet their demand.

President Yudhoyono on the occasion extended Rp50 million to the farmers` group to help improve their farming.

President Yudhoyono and entourage would spend the night at the Battalion 744 headquarters and would leave for Kupang on Friday morning and then for Jakarta.

Among the ministers in his entourage are defense minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, agriculture minister Suswono, minister of fisheries and marine resources Fadel Muhammad, transportation minister Freddy Numberi, education minister Muhammad Nuh, sports and youth minister Andi Mallarangeng, defense forces commander Admiral Agus Suhartono, minister/state secretary Sudi Silalahi and minister for development of backward regions Ahmad Helmy Faisal Zaini. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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