Some ministers are selfish: President

Some ministers are selfish: President

PRETORIA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid blamed several
ministers on Sunday for the delay in the disbursement of aid to
Indonesia from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

"There are several selfish Cabinet ministers, who are not
taking national interests into account in the ongoing efforts to
revive the country's economy," Abdurrahman told the Indonesian
community living in South Africa following a dinner.

The President did not identify the ministers.

A week before his departure on a nine-day overseas trip,
Abdurrahman called for a plenary Cabinet meeting and urged his
aides to enhance coordination among themselves in implementing
reform programs Indonesia had agreed with the IMF. He also banned
his ministers from going abroad until the pressing problem with
the IMF was resolved.

Rumors of another reshuffle in the Cabinet have been rife
since then.

On Sunday, Abdurrahman expressed his optimism that an economic
recovery was on the right track.

"Of 10 indicators, seven of them support the argument that our
economy is recuperating. So we have already been able to cope
with the crisis," Abdurrahman said.

The inkling of economic betterment came, to some extent, after
foreign investment returned to the country, although the amount
remained insignificant, the President said.

"But in the near future, there will be an encouraging
development (of investment)," he said.

Abdurrahman said he had called French President Jacques
Chirac, who will host the Paris Club meeting later this week, and
heard from him that he would help Indonesia urge the IMF to
disburse its loan as soon as possible.

The President added U.S. President Bill Clinton and Dutch
Prime Minister Wim Kok had also promised to support Indonesia in
negotiating with the IMF.

First Lady Sinta Nuriyah was also present at the gathering.

The President and his entourage left South Africa for Mexico
on Tuesday. (byg)