U.S. to give $18m for 2004 vote

U.S. to give $18m for 2004 vote

JAKARTA: The U.S. government will give US$18 million (Rp 148
billion) to help Indonesia carry out its 2004 national elections.

The U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Ralph L. Boyce said on
Tuesday that the $18 million was part of U.S. government aid to
Indonesia this year which totals $130 million. Most of the money
is used to strengthen Indonesia's democracy, he added.

The funds will be used to finance the work of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs), improvements with regional autonomy and the
civic education, including the strengthening of the curriculum at
Muslim institutions.

Other areas that will also be covered by the funds are
overseas education provided to the bright Indonesians and the
publication of books and other publications to foster democracy
in Indonesia, Boyce said.

He stressed that the aid did not mean the U.S. government
wanted something in return.

"We respect the Indonesian political system, and we don't want
to impose our system on Indonesia," said Boyce. -- JP