Indonesian legislators query Clinton on aid use<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Eighty-nine Indonesian legislators have written
\nto United States President Bill Clinton demanding that he
\nensure that American aid is not used to finance activities which
\nwould interfere in the country's domestic affairs.<\/p>\n
Six legislators -- Abu Hasan Sazili, Aminullah Ibrahim, Samsul
\nBahri, Yasril Baharudin and Zamharir A.R. of the Golkar faction
\nand Khofifah Indar Parawansa of the United Development Party
\nfaction -- delivered two letters, one addressed to Clinton and
\nthe other to Congress, to U.S. Ambassador J. Stapleton Roy at his
\nresidence in Central Jakarta Saturday.<\/p>\n
The two letters were signed by 89 members of the 500-member
\nHouse of Representatives. However none of the 75 members of the
\nArmed Forces faction signed either letter.<\/p>\n
Abu told The Jakarta Post that the legislators expressed their
\nappreciation for the American aid given to non-governmental
\norganizations (NGOs) to strengthen human rights, the environment
\nand democratization.<\/p>\n
But, Abu said, the legislators were concerned over American
\nnews reports that suggested the aid also benefited those whose
\naims were not in the national interest.<\/p>\n
\"We asked that in the future the aid be continued and increased
\nbut with tighter supervision to ensure that it is for the welfare
\nof the people,\" Abu said.<\/p>\n
The two identical letters cited a May 21 report in the
\nNew York Times and International Herald Tribune which said that
\nthere are indications that U.S. aid could be used by certain
\ngroups to conduct activities which could disrupt stability.<\/p>\n
The letter expressed concern that despite knowing that this
\naid was being \"misused\", the U.S. government did nothing about
\nit.<\/p>\n
\"However the U.S. government has so far apparently disregarded
\nthis reality, and even continued to send the aid which reached
\nUS$26 million,\" the letter said.<\/p>\n
The letter closed with a stern warning that inappropriate
\naction would only worsen Indonesia's economy and cause the people
\nfurther despair.<\/p>\n
In recent weeks students have protested regularly outside the
\nU.S. Embassy in Jakarta and Consulate-General in Surabaya, East
\nJava, complaining what they believe to be Washington's meddling
\nin Indonesia's domestic affairs.<\/p>\n
According to Abu, Ambassador Roy maintained that the aid was
\nmerely used to help groups concerned with issues such as the
\nenvironment, human rights and improvement of the democratic
\nprocesses, not to interfere in domestic politics.<\/p>\n
U.S. Assistant State Secretary for East Asia and the Pacific
\nStanley Roth earlier this month denied that Washington had had a
\nhand in ousting Soeharto after widespread protests.<\/p>\n
\"It is absolutely untrue. We have consistently stated that the
\npolitical situation in Indonesia is up to the people of Indonesia
\nto decide,\" Roth said. (byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesian-legislators-query-clinton-on-aid-use-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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