Aussies to give aid to RI

Aussies to give aid to RI

CANBERRA (Reuter): Australia will give A$140 million (US$100
million) in aid to Indonesia in the year to next June, Foreign
Affairs Minister Gareth Evans said after meeting Indonesian
officials yesterday.

"The aid program will retain a strong humanitarian focus with
assistance targeted at the education, health, rural transport,
power and environment sectors," Evans said in a statement.

"It will also maintain an Australian priority in eastern
Indonesia. The program accords closely with Indonesian government
efforts to further reduce poverty."

Australia would also provide A$150 million ($107 million) in
soft loans for projects including road and railway upgrades, the
minister said.

A government spokesman said yesterday's talks had resolved how
the Australian money would support Indonesia's latest five-year
development plan.

Indonesia is the second largest recipient of Australian aid
after Papua New Guinea.