THIRTY-NINE COUNTRIES TO PARTICIPATE IN APA IN BANDUNG

Bandung, W Java, Dec 7 (ANTARA) - Thirty-nine representatives from the legislative assemblies of 39 Asian countries have confirmed their participation in the Asian Parliamentary Assembly in Bandung, West Java, on December 8-10.

The event is to be opened by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Although only 39 countries will participate, the committee has raised the national flags of 54 Asian countries in front of Gedung Merdeka where the meeting will be held.

Preparations for the event have been done since several days ago including ensuring security at the venue.

Several hotels have also been ready to welcome the guests including Hotel Savoy Homan, Preanger and Hyatt.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to spend a night at the Hotel Sheraton.

Student elements in the city meanwhile are planning to stage a demonstration when President Yudhoyono arrives in Bandung.

"We plan to deploy some 100 people in a rally in front of Gedung Merdeka," the chief of the Indonesian Muslim Students Association in Bandung, Firman Sabar, said.

He said the students would hold the demonstration in connection with the Bank Century case.

The president of the Student Executive Body (BEM) of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), Ridwansyah Yusuf, said his side would also stage a demonstration on that day.

The vice president of the Bandung Raya Student Executive Body, Mei Susanto, said "we will ask the president to settle the Bank Century case thoroughly," he said.
(H-YH/B/HAJM/B003)