ABRI warmly welcomes S'pore humanitarian aid

JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) said it appreciates Singapore's S$12 million (US$7 million) in humanitarian aid, claiming it is immaterial the assistance was extended nearly a year into Indonesia's severe crisis.

ABRI spokesman Maj. Gen. Syamsul Ma'arif said Armed Forces' view of the aid was officially recorded in a meeting between Minister of Defense and Security Affairs/Armed Forces chief Gen. Wiranto and visiting Singapore Minister of Education and Second Minister for Defense Rear Adm. Teo Chee Hean here yesterday.

"ABRI is not bothered whether the humanitarian aid was late or not," Syamsul replied to reporters' questions.

"We are grateful for the Singapore government's attention to Indonesia, which is experiencing an economic crisis.

"It will be an unforgotten historical event which sees Singapore helping Indonesia," he quoted Wiranto as saying.

Wiranto's statement appeared in stark contrast to earlier published comments of President B.J. Habibie, who implied that Singapore was not doing its share to help its neighbor.

In an interview published Tuesday by the Asian Wall Street Journal, Habibie lamented Singapore's seeming indifference to Indonesia's suffering.

"You see, a friend in need is a friend indeed," Habibie said. "I don't have that feeling from Singapore.

"I have that feeling from the U.S., from Japan, Australia, mainland China, from Malaysia, from Europe, Germany. But I don't have that feeling (from Singapore).

"They (Singapore) are proactive in the negative direction, and that, I feel sorry for."

Syamsul denied the aid was a catch-up measure by Singapore in response to Habibie's complaint.

"No, it has nothing to do with the President's statement. The deal between the Indonesian Armed Forces and the Singapore Armed Forces started a month ago."

After meeting with Teo at the Armed Forces headquarters yesterday, Wiranto immediately went to the Bina Graha presidential office to brief Habibie.

The first delivery of the aid is due to arrive at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base at 7:30 a.m. today.

The aid will comprise $10 million in the form of 21 tons of food supplies and another $2 million in medical supplies.

Syamsul said the food and medicine would be given to 1.9 million families in 225 regencies and mayoralties scattered throughout's the nation's 27 provinces. (imn)