LDP to end in May 2002

LDP to end in May 2002

We were surprised that a newspaper of such high quality as The
Jakarta Post continues to publish factually incorrect information
about the Leuser Development Program ('Aceh's Leuser project
halted, Nov. 26). Since there are still several parties with
their own private agendas distorting the facts, we kindly request
that The Jakarta Post contacts the Leuser Management Unit (UML)
directly to confirm information it receives. This will prevent
the Post unintentionally misleading its readers.

We would like to clarify that the LDP has not been "halted"
and that neither of its "patrons", i.e. the government of
Indonesia and the European Commission (EC), have made a "decision
to stop financial assistance at the end of November" for any
reason, let alone "for unspecified reasons". Thus, the EC has not
"decided to halt aid to the project ahead of schedule for
efficiency reasons", and no such statement was made by myself to
your correspondent. Neither is it true that the EC "has halted
financial assistance because it considers UML ineffective in
conserving the national park" -- the Program is still due to end
in May 2002.

In August 2001, contrary to the opinion expressed in the last
paragraph of the article, the Head of the North Sumatra
provincial legislature's Commission II on forestry, Drs. Azis
Angkat, has made a recommendation to extend the LDP. Currently,
the EC Delegation in Jakarta and the government of Indonesia are
considering an extension of the LDP.

HARDI BAKTIANTORO

Press and Information Staff

Leuser Management Unit

Medan