TWELVE COUNTRIES TO ATTEND ETHNIC LANGUAGE CONGRESS IN BAUBAU

Baubu, SE Sulawesi, April 21 (ANTARA) - Some 12 countries have confirmed to attend an Ethnic Language International Congress in Southeast Sulawesi city of Baubau on July 8, 2010.

Local tourism and cultural office's archaeological service spokesman Ali Arham said here on Wednesday that of 30 countries invited to attend the congress, 12 had confirmed participation.

"They have sent their confirmation to us by e-mail," Ali Arham said, adding that the countries were among others the Netherlands, Australia, the United States, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea.

According to him, other countries expected to confirm their participation in the near future were among others Germany, China, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore.

He said that besides the foreign participants, a number of linguists from several universities in Indonesia would also attend the congress in Baubau.

"In our estimation, around 400 people will participate in the congress, and therefore the Baubau city administration will do its best to host and make a success of the international event," Arham said.

He said the objective of the ethnic language international congress was that the participants would discuss various issues related to ethnic languages and literature.

The result of the congress would then be reported to the government to make a policy to preserve and develop ethnic languages.