Lobby group formed to improve U.S.-RI ties

JAKARTA: A special lobby group of House members was created on Monday to enhance the relationship between the House of Representatives and the U.S. Congress and improve U.S. legislators' understanding of Indonesian issues.

Legislator and group coordinator Amris Hassan said a lack of knowledge had caused some severe problems for Indonesia, including the 1999 military arms embargo and the recently- approved bill for debate, which would question the status of Papua province as an integral part of Indonesia.

"Our foreign policy focuses too much on the U.S. executive, thus we feel the urgent need to upgrade relations with the legislature," Amris said.

"In time, of course we'll have to make visits, but it will depend on the (country's) financial situation. But in the meantime, we will work using (information) technology and through facilitators like the embassies," he said. --JP