U.S. pledges support to Indonesia<\/p>\n
HONG KONG (AFP): A senior U.S official on Saturday expressed
\nconcern at food shortages in Indonesia and pledged American
\nsupport to help strengthen social safety nets around Asia.<\/p>\n
State Department assistant secretary Alan Larson, in Hong Kong
\nduring a five-nation Asian tour, said the international community
\nis facing its biggest financial crisis in 50 years.<\/p>\n
\"We are acutely aware that the economic disruptions of the
\nmoment have the potential to impose a heavy human cost,\" he told
\na breakfast meeting.<\/p>\n
\"It is important we not lose years of progress in alleviating
\npoverty. It is vital we tackle a problem that, if not addressed,
\ncould cause a lost of faith in those free institutions that have
\ndone so much to raise living standards and expand personal
\nliberty around the world.\"<\/p>\n
Larson expressed particular concern about rice shortages in
\nIndonesia and said the United States may consider further food
\naid.<\/p>\n
\"In Jakarta I will be looking into the rice situation, which
\nis a very important issue,\" he said, adding instability as a
\nresult of hunger could derail efforts at economic reform.<\/p>\n
\"Depending on whether there was a demonstrated demand and a
\ncapacity to deliver we would consider doing more,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The United States has already granted Indonesia US$50 million
\nworth of food aid and has given 5,000 metric tons of wheat.<\/p>\n
Sharp rises in the cost of basic food stuffs following the
\ndevaluation of the rupiah sparked widespread riots in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"We will intensify our efforts to speed recovery in Asia...
\nwhile we cooperate to put Asian corporations back to work, we
\nalso need to cooperate to protect Asian families through
\nstrengthened safety nets,\" Larson said.<\/p>\n
\"During my trip to Asia I am going to look into ways that the
\ninternational community can do more to support employment,
\nfacilitate the movement of workers from old jobs to new jobs and
\nprotect precious investments in education and health.\"<\/p>\n
Larson emphasized that the United States would also be ready
\nto provide financial assistance if the currency crisis spreads
\nand would help provide trade finance through the U.S. Export
\nImport Bank.<\/p>\n
Next month's meeting of the Group of Seven industrialized
\nnations would also look at revisions to the global financial
\nsystem to help improve transparency and disclosure, he said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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