U.S. gives approval to RI's reform package
U.S. gives approval to RI's reform package
JAKARTA (JP): United States Deputy Secretary of State Strobe
Talbott, after a 40-minute meeting with President Soeharto, said
he felt reassured about Indonesia's economic reform package.
"We come away with a sense of real determination on the part
of the Indonesian government to stick with it," Talbott told
journalists of his meeting with Soeharto at the State Palace
yesterday.
He said the meeting had been candid and business-like, and he
had further conveyed to Soeharto Washington's desire to lend its
assistance.
"We expressed the support of the U.S. government to resolve
the economic situation," Talbott remarked.
Talbott arrived here Wednesday as part of a seven-nation Asian
tour.
His arrival comes on the heels of an announcement by Jakarta
of massive economic reforms due to the acute financial crisis.
A US$23 billion International Monetary Fund-sponsored bailout
package has also been made available to Indonesia to counter the
crisis.
Talbott said Wednesday he supported Indonesia's moves adding
that while the steps taken might involve short-term pain,
economic recovery take place more quickly.
Yesterday, he claimed to be "favorably impressed" by the
explanations given to him on the steps taken by the Indonesian
government.
Washington has also made a $3 billion contingency financial
aid offer if Indonesia needs to bolster its reserves.
Talbott said the U.S. would be willing to help further with
technical aid for the implementation of its reforms by sending
experts from the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation.
Speaking on the overall state of Indonesian-American bilateral
ties, Talbott said Washington attached great importance to the
relationship which was getting stronger.
He noted that U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen would be
arriving here for a visit on Nov. 20.
Despite Talbott's assertions of strong ties, a group of
Democratic members in the House of Representatives in Washington
criticized Thursday the Clinton administration's $3 billion
contingency financial aid offer to Indonesia without requiring
Jakarta to improve its human rights record.
Reuters reported that in a letter to Treasury Secretary Robert
Rubin, Barney Frank, a Democrat from Massachussetts, urged
Washington to withdraw the $3 billion credit line.
The letter asked the administration to do so "until and unless
the government of Indonesia agrees to improve its position on
workers' rights and stops its oppressive practices and shows
respect for the people of East Timor."
The letter was also signed by fellow Democratic Reps. Patrick
Kennedy of Rhode Island, Joseph Kennedy of Massachussetts, Nancy
Pelosi of California and Tony Hall of Ohio.
Talbott said here yesterday that despite the differences in
views concerning human rights, the strong ties between Jakarta
and Washington still allow a broad range of cooperation.
While human rights has always been a fundamental concern, said
Talbott, "it is also a tenet of American foreign policy that we
do what we can to support economic development." (prb/mds)
JAKARTA (JP): United States Deputy Secretary of State Strobe
Talbott, after a 40-minute meeting with President Soeharto, said
he felt reassured about Indonesia's economic reform package.
"We come away with a sense of real determination on the part
of the Indonesian government to stick with it," Talbott told
journalists of his meeting with Soeharto at the State Palace
yesterday.
He said the meeting had been candid and business-like, and he
had further conveyed to Soeharto Washington's desire to lend its
assistance.
"We expressed the support of the U.S. government to resolve
the economic situation," Talbott remarked.
Talbott arrived here Wednesday as part of a seven-nation Asian
tour.
His arrival comes on the heels of an announcement by Jakarta
of massive economic reforms due to the acute financial crisis.
A US$23 billion International Monetary Fund-sponsored bailout
package has also been made available to Indonesia to counter the
crisis.
Talbott said Wednesday he supported Indonesia's moves adding
that while the steps taken might involve short-term pain,
economic recovery take place more quickly.
Yesterday, he claimed to be "favorably impressed" by the
explanations given to him on the steps taken by the Indonesian
government.
Washington has also made a $3 billion contingency financial
aid offer if Indonesia needs to bolster its reserves.
Talbott said the U.S. would be willing to help further with
technical aid for the implementation of its reforms by sending
experts from the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation.
Speaking on the overall state of Indonesian-American bilateral
ties, Talbott said Washington attached great importance to the
relationship which was getting stronger.
He noted that U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen would be
arriving here for a visit on Nov. 20.
Despite Talbott's assertions of strong ties, a group of
Democratic members in the House of Representatives in Washington
criticized Thursday the Clinton administration's $3 billion
contingency financial aid offer to Indonesia without requiring
Jakarta to improve its human rights record.
Reuters reported that in a letter to Treasury Secretary Robert
Rubin, Barney Frank, a Democrat from Massachussetts, urged
Washington to withdraw the $3 billion credit line.
The letter asked the administration to do so "until and unless
the government of Indonesia agrees to improve its position on
workers' rights and stops its oppressive practices and shows
respect for the people of East Timor."
The letter was also signed by fellow Democratic Reps. Patrick
Kennedy of Rhode Island, Joseph Kennedy of Massachussetts, Nancy
Pelosi of California and Tony Hall of Ohio.
Talbott said here yesterday that despite the differences in
views concerning human rights, the strong ties between Jakarta
and Washington still allow a broad range of cooperation.
While human rights has always been a fundamental concern, said
Talbott, "it is also a tenet of American foreign policy that we
do what we can to support economic development." (prb/mds)