Freeport's Moffett due here soon

Freeport's Moffett due here soon

JAKARTA (JP): Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.'s chairman
James "Jimbob" Moffett will arrive in the next couple of days to
answer to alleged corruption and collusion involving the firm's
Indonesian subsidiary, Attorney General Andi M. Ghalib said on
Tuesday.

The American government has expressed its willingness to help
in straightening out the controversy enveloping PT Freeport
Indonesia's mining contract of work (COW) in Irian Jaya, Ghalib
told reporters after a meeting with U.S. Ambassador Stapleton
Roy.

Separately on Tuesday, lawyer T. Mulya Lubis notified Col. Edi
Darnadi, director of the National Police detective unit for
general crimes, that American scholar Jeffrey A. Winters was
willing to shed light on the issue provided he was not subject to
restrictions on entering and leaving the country.

Winters, who ignited the furor in October during a public
debate, is registered as a speakers at the Indonesian Forum's
two-day economic conference here on Nov. 19 and Nov. 20.

Citing findings of local research group Econit, Winters
alleged the involvement of Coordinating Minister for Economy,
Finance and Industry Ginandjar Kartasasmita in shady deals
between Freeport and several Indonesian businessmen in 1991.
Ginandjar was mines and energy minister at the time.

The deals, including Bakrie Brothers' purchase of a 10 percent
stake in Freeport Indonesia, were made before the renewal of
Freeport's operating contract with the Indonesian government in
December 1991. Bakrie subsequently sold its stake.

The Attorney General's Office has launched an investigation,
questioning businesspeople and officials, including Ginandjar.

Both Bakrie and Ginandjar have denied the allegations.

Freeport Indonesia operates the world's largest copper and
gold mine in mineral-rich Irian Jaya.