Russia donates 20,000 tons of wheat

JAKARTA: Russia has donated 20,000 tons of wheat to the tsunami- hit province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam. The wheat was brought by the Russian Amorillis cargo ship to Jakarta, the Russian Embassy in Jakarta said in a press release sent to The Jakarta Post.

The humanitarian wheat aid was handed over to the Indonesian government during a ceremony in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Alwi Shihab attended the hand-over ceremony, the release said.

At the same ceremony, the Russian government awarded special medals to 11 people -- mostly ministers, including Alwi, officials and military personnel -- who were actively involved in the execution of the Russian humanitarian operation in Aceh.

This year, Russia and Indonesia commemorate the 55th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. -- JP