LDP to end in May 2002<\/p>\n
We were surprised that a newspaper of such high quality as The
\nJakarta Post continues to publish factually incorrect information
\nabout the Leuser Development Program ('Aceh's Leuser project
\nhalted, Nov. 26). Since there are still several parties with
\ntheir own private agendas distorting the facts, we kindly request
\nthat The Jakarta Post contacts the Leuser Management Unit (UML)
\ndirectly to confirm information it receives. This will prevent
\nthe Post unintentionally misleading its readers.<\/p>\n
We would like to clarify that the LDP has not been \"halted\"
\nand that neither of its \"patrons\", i.e. the government of
\nIndonesia and the European Commission (EC), have made a \"decision
\nto stop financial assistance at the end of November\" for any
\nreason, let alone \"for unspecified reasons\". Thus, the EC has not
\n\"decided to halt aid to the project ahead of schedule for
\nefficiency reasons\", and no such statement was made by myself to
\nyour correspondent. Neither is it true that the EC \"has halted
\nfinancial assistance because it considers UML ineffective in
\nconserving the national park\" -- the Program is still due to end
\nin May 2002.<\/p>\n
In August 2001, contrary to the opinion expressed in the last
\nparagraph of the article, the Head of the North Sumatra
\nprovincial legislature's Commission II on forestry, Drs. Azis
\nAngkat, has made a recommendation to extend the LDP. Currently,
\nthe EC Delegation in Jakarta and the government of Indonesia are
\nconsidering an extension of the LDP.<\/p>\n
HARDI BAKTIANTORO<\/p>\n
Press and Information Staff<\/p>\n
Leuser Management Unit<\/p>\n
Medan<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ldp-to-end-in-may-2002-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }