RI may move CGI vennue to Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government could move a meeting of the Consultative Group
\non Indonesia (CGI) later this month from Yogyakarta to Jakarta if
\nforeign lenders under the CGI raise security concerns following
\nthe terrorist strike in Bali.<\/p>\n
The spokesman for the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy,
\nMahendra Siregar, said on Tuesday the government had decided to
\nstick with Yogyakarta but it must also take account of CGI
\nmembers' concerns.<\/p>\n
\"Should CGI members express an objection to the venue of the
\nmeeting, it will be moved to Jakarta,\" Mahendra said.<\/p>\n
\"The government is contacting CGI members and we're waiting
\nfor their response,\" he said, adding that a decision would be
\nmade soon.<\/p>\n
The terrorist strike came ahead of a meeting between foreign
\ncreditors under the CGI, scheduled for Oct. 27 and Oct. 28 in
\nYogyakarta.<\/p>\n
However, Yogyakarta is considered to be less safe than Bali,
\nwhich before the strike continued to attract millions of tourists
\nwhen large parts of the country were embroiled in armed
\nconflicts, including bomb blasts and violent protests in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Although no party has claimed responsibility for the terrorist
\nattacks which has killed at least 182 people, suspicion remains
\nhigh that anti-Western groups were behind it.<\/p>\n
The twin bomb explosions in Bali, packed with Australians and
\nother foreigners, stoked fears of more attacks to come.<\/p>\n
Following the Bali incident, authorities here have pledged to
\ntighten security around facilities and buildings owned by Western
\ngovernments and companies.<\/p>\n
CGI, which groups together Indonesia's major international
\ncreditors, plans to discuss loans to help finance the 2003 state
\nbudget.<\/p>\n
Its loans are being used to help plug the country's chronic
\nstate budget deficit. In 2003, the budget shortfall is expected
\nto be Rp 26.26 trillion (about US$2.8 billion) from around Rp
\n42.13 trillion this year.<\/p>\n
Indonesia is targeting less aid from the CGI in line with its
\nshrinking budget deficit and with plans to attain a balanced
\nbudget by 2004.<\/p>\n
Last year CGI loans amounted to around $3.14 billion.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's total debt amount to $134 billion, forcing the
\ngovernment to spend 43 percent of its 2002 state budget on
\nserving foreign and domestic debt payments.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-may-move-cgi-vennue-to-jakarta-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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