Germany to write off RI's debts

Germany to write off RI's debts

From Rakyat Merdeka

Recently I attended a meeting with a senior representative at the German Embassy. The German government is currently offering to write off Indonesian debts worth 50 million Deutschemarks next year if the Indonesian government carries out certain programs on education, poverty eradication and the environment.

Relevant ministries have to submit the proposals through the Indonesian finance ministry. The German government will also control the programs to see that they are correctly implemented.

I was very ashamed to hear the German embassy has yet to receive proposals from the Indonesian government. The deadline for such an offer has been set for Dec. 31, 2001.

It seems that when it comes to obtaining new loans, everybody gets excited. But when it comes to proposing a project that will benefit the general public and write off foreign debts, they seem to lose interest in accomplishing their task.

The demanded programs should not be underestimated. Germany has worked on similar programs with Peru for five years. The German government writes off debts every year and next year a DM 250 million debt is to be written off.

I appeal to those in the concerned ministries to disclose this information. I will tell them who to contact concerning this program. Basically, you can design any project related to the three programs mentioned earlier. For example, educational programs for street children. It is important to note that the programs would be funded by the Indonesian finance ministry. If we wish to do something for this country, perhaps, this way is the one that we can do now.

IDA BAGUS KESAWA NARAYANA

Tangerang, Banten