Julian made the statement in response to a report that Ed Mc Williams, a West Papuan separatist activist, has offered a prize contest worth US$80,000 for Britons who are able to arrest Yudhoyono during his visit to Britain.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The British government has guaranteed the safety and security of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono when he visits the country at the invitation of the British Queen in October, Presidential Spokesman Julian A Pasha said.
Julian made the statement on Wednesday in response to a report that Ed Mc Williams, a West Papuan separatist activist, has offered a prize contest worth US$80,000 for Britons who are able to arrest Yudhoyono during his visit to Britain in October.
Ed Mc Williams is an activist of the West Papuan Advocacy Team (WPAT).
"The British police have also assured and guaranteed that such arrest will not take place and the safety of the president is fully guaranteed by the British government," Julian said.
Julian said the circulation of the information about the prize contest had created inconvenience because the president would visit that country at the invitation of the British Queen.
"We have communicated with the British embassy in Jakarta. Frankly speaking, this matter is inconvenient and needs to be straightened out. The president`s plan to visit Britain is at the invitation of the British Queen in her capacity as the head of state," Julian added.
He said that both countries have communicated about the matter to avoid misunderstanding regarding the prize contest issue.
"The British government, the Queen in particular, has invited the president as a figure who has contributed a lot to the development of democracy in Indonesia," Julian said.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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