USDA plans Indonesian aid

USDA plans Indonesian aid

WASHINGTON (Reuters): The U.S. Agriculture Department is
still considering extending PL480 program assistance to help
financially struggling Indonesia buy U.S. agricultural goods, a
USDA aide said Monday.

"We're still working on it," USDA Undersecretary Gus
Schumacher told reporters.

Schumacher said the USDA is working with the U.S. Agency for
International Development on the PL480 program for Indonesia.
Schumacher and other USDA officials first raised the possibility
of a Title 1 PL480 program for Indonesia after they traveled to
Southeast Asia in January to assess the region's financial woes.

Under Title 1 of the PL480 program, USDA extends long-term,
low-interest loans to help developing countries buy U.S. farm
goods.