Forestry commitments to CGI have not been met: Minister

JAKARTA (JP): The government has failed to fulfill all the forestry commitments it made during the meeting of the country's major donor group, the Consultative Group on Indonesia (CGI), last year, according to the newly appointed Minister of Forestry Marzuki Usman.

Marzuki said that the targets promised by the government during the CGI meeting were unrealistic so that it was difficult to accomplish them.

"It's our own fault. How could we set such unrealistic targets?" he said to reporters after a meeting with forest concession holders.

During the meeting, the Indonesian government made various pledges to protect its forests amid growing concerns from donor countries over the worsening state of the country's forests.

The pledges included the combating of illegal logging and unauthorized sawmills; speeding up forest resources assessment; and imposing a moratorium on forest conversion.

The government also agreed to downsize and restructure timber- based industries, close heavily-indebted timber industries under the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), synchronize reforestation programs with existing forest industries, recalculate the real value of timber, and use the decentralization process as a tool for enhancing sustainable forest management.

Asked whether the failure to implement the eight commitments given could affect new loans from the CGI, Marzuki said, "Just wait and see."

According to Marzuki, the CGI has yet to give any intimation that it would cancel its loans.

"We are still negotiating," he added.

Recalling his experience in finance, Marzuki said that Indonesia should consider its capacity to meet any conditions before accepting them.

If needed, it could agree to no conditions at all or choose the minimum conditions available, he added.

Marzuki said that provided all sides helped him and his ministry, the commitments could be realized.

"It sounds idealistic, but I promise to bring it to fruition," he concluded. (03)