Aussie considers more aid

Aussie considers more aid

CANBERRA (Reuters): Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said
yesterday Australia had done a great deal to help Indonesia in
its current crisis and would look at providing more aid if
required.

But Downer said that given the aid already made available to
Indonesia through an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout
package and a World Bank humanitarian package, it was now very
important to restore confidence in the economy.

"Australia has done a great deal to help Indonesia at this
time, and it's appropriate that we should do," Downer told
parliament.

"If there is to be further assistance needed, then naturally
enough we'll have a look at that, but let me say we will keep
this matter under review," he said.

Downer said Australia had already provided about A$50 million
(US$31 million) in humanitarian assistance above its normal aid
program for its northern neighbor.

As well, it had helped with the IMF package and helped
coordinate the World Bank aid.