Natalie Powell, London – Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has become the first world leader on a state visit to the UK during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Year.
Dr Yudhoyono and his wife, who are on a three-day visit, will meet members of the British royal family and discuss investment and business development with politicians.
On Wednesday, Dr Yudhoyono met British Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at Buckingham Palace. On Thursday, he will meet Mr Cameron again at No 10, Downing Street.
Dr Yudhoyono's visit to Britain, however, has not been well received by everyone. Dozens of protesters also turned out at Mr Cameron's Downing Street residence to greet the president over alleged human rights abuses in Indonesia.
Prominent rights campaigner Peter Tachell was arrested trying to reach the president's car as he visited Westminster Abbey.
Mr Paul Hainsworth, UK Country Coordinator, Amnesty International, said: "What we would like to see since the president of Indonesia is here is not just an emphasis on trade, not just an emphasis on education. Important as these things are, we think there is another agenda to it and that's the human rights agenda, and we think that is all part of the package. We would very much like the prime minister and other parliamentarians who the president of Indonesia might meet, we would like them to ask these questions and I think they will."
Ms Sophie Grigg, Senior Campaigner of Survival International, said: "We are here to protest against the Indonesian president's (visit)... also to protest the British government for supporting him and inviting him here on a state visit. They have to take a much stronger stand, they have to make any trade and arms sales conditional on a far better human rights record to stop what's happening in West Papua."
But Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague has praised Dr Yudhoyono for the political development in Indonesia that is helping shape a political change in Asia.
Dr Yudhoyono's visit will wind up at the end of the week, but not before he addresses a business forum, visits the Tower of London and attends a state banquet hosted by the Queen. (CNA/AFP/de)