Japan is ready to call on global powers to help RI<\/p>\n
TOKYO (AFP): Japan is ready to call on the international
\ncommunity as it seeks to break an impasse blocking IMF payments
\nfor Indonesia, a top government minister said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kanezo Muraoka said Tokyo was prepared
\nto play a role in ending the crisis following a weekend summit in
\nJakarta between Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and Indonesian
\nPresident Soeharto.<\/p>\n
\"President Soeharto told Prime Minister Hashimoto that he
\nwants to have more talks with the international community if
\nnecessary, taking into account his nation's current situation,\"
\nMuraoka told a news conference.<\/p>\n
\"Japan is also ready to call on the international community if
\nneeded,\" Muraoka added.<\/p>\n
Hashimoto drew few concessions from the Indonesian leader
\nduring his trip, aimed at gauging the likelihood of Jakarta
\nbowing to International Monetary Fund's demands for economic
\nreform in return for an economic lifeline worth US$43 billion.<\/p>\n
The reforms are intended to dismantle monopolies, subsidies,
\ncartels and other restrictive trade practices, many of which
\nbenefit Soeharto's children and associates.<\/p>\n
\"I hope the international community will be flexible,\"
\nSoeharto told the Japanese premier. \"I am also prepared to be
\nflexible.\"<\/p>\n
The Japanese premier had urged Soeharto to fulfill reform
\npromises he had made in exchange for the IMF package. He said
\nSoeharto agreed that Indonesia will keep all its promises but he
\nfailed to gain any concrete guarantees.<\/p>\n
Camdessus<\/p>\n
IMF chief Michel Camdessus said in Washington that IMF would
\nstop a bailout package for Indonesia if Jakarta failed to
\nimplement economic reforms tied to it.<\/p>\n
Asked what would happen if Soeharto did not implement the
\nreforms, Camdessus told Newsweek magazine: \"We have never
\nhesitated to interrupt our financing when a country don't fulfill
\nits commitment.\"<\/p>\n
Indonesia is accused of failing to implement reforms demanded
\nas part of the IMF bailout, but Soeharto has complained they go
\ntoo far, and are causing too much pain for his country.<\/p>\n
The IMF is withholding a second $3 billion disbursement for
\nIndonesia pending implementation of the reforms, intended to
\ndismantle monopolies, subsidies, cartels and other restrictive
\ntrade practices, many of which benefit Soeharto's children and
\nassociates.<\/p>\n
Asked whether not disbursing funds would worsen the crisis in
\nIndonesia, Camdessus replied: \"I would be taking more risks for
\nthe world if I were to ignore an agreement signed with a
\ncountry.\"<\/p>\n
A default by Indonesia \"would be extremely serious, not only
\nfor the world but for the country itself... to renounce this now
\nwould be to renounce an undertaking seen by the entire world as
\nthe best course for the country,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/japan-is-ready-to-call-on-global-powers-to-help-ri-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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