JAKARTA, March 19 (UPI) -- The Indonesian government said it understood that U.S. President Barack Obama has delayed a visit because of the political situation in the United States.
A March Indonesia trip by the president has been pushed ahead to June because of the healthcare debate in Congress, said a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta.
Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa said Friday Indonesia suspected Obama's March visit would be put off until later, Antara News reported.
"June is actually the time frame the Indonesian government had suggested before," Natalegawa said.
He said he understood the delay is due to the political situation in the United States.
The embassy statement said Obama had telephoned his Indonesian counterpart, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, to say he had to remain in Washington.
The statement said Obama regretted the delay but expected to visit Indonesia in June.
"Our international alliances are critical to America's security and economic progress," the statement said. "But passage of health insurance reform is of paramount importance and the president is determined to see this battle through."
