Global leaders offer sympathy and help to Indonesia

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The leaders of dozens of countries are flying in to Indonesia bearing funds, heavy equipment and other aid for relief and reconstruction efforts in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and North Sumatra.

In bilateral meetings with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, world leaders conveyed sympathy and offered various forms of assistance, in a show of global solidarity for the tsunami- stricken areas and people.

Susilo received on Wednesday South Korean Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Myanmar Prime Minister Soe Win, Australian Prime Minister John Howard and the United States Secretary of State Colin Powell.

South Korea pledged to loan one Landing Ship Tank -- an amphibious ship with the capacity to carry up to 29 tanks and 350 troops -- which will be on stand-by off the Meulaboh coast to support reconstruction efforts and deliver heavy equipment.

Meanwhile, the World Bank has promised additional grants, and has already submitted a US$25 million grant proposal to its central council.

World Bank President James Wolfensohn said the bank was ready to provide three kinds of assistance besides the grant, such as low- or no-interest loans with a 30-year repayment term.

"We just want to let the Indonesian government know that the money is there for them to use in accordance with their needs," Wolfensohn said after meeting with Susilo.