Commission Calls for New Partnership Focused on Human Resource Development with Indonesia.

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2003

National Commission on United States-Indonesian Relations Recommends Five-Year U.S. Program Worth $200 Million Per Year

The National Commission on United States-Indonesian Relations today issued a report recommending a five-year program of $200 million per year, much of which aims to strengthen the educational system in Indonesia.

The report recommends creating a Partnership for Human Resource Development to:

-- Strengthen Indonesia's educational system and reestablish ties

to American education institutions;

-- Improve governance and ensure the effectiveness of

decentralization;

-- Stimulate economic growth by improving the investment climate

and expanding trade; and

-- Promote national security by strengthening the police and

potentially resuming military education programs.

"The next several years are crucial for Indonesia and the United States," said Edward Masters, vice chairman of the Commission. "Our relationship with Indonesia should be strengthened and broadened for its benefit as well as for ours. This report creates a roadmap to show how that can, and should, be done."

Cong. James Leach (R-Iowa), chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, said, "This is a particularly opportune time to reconsider, and hopefully strengthen, the U.S.-Indonesian relationship. It is important that the Congress consider these recommendations."

The report is the culmination of more than one year's work by the Commission, which has been studying the bilateral relationship in light of Indonesia's march towards democracy and its fundamental importance to the United States. Amb. Masters authored the report with input from the various members of the National Commission.

The Commission will distribute the report to government decision makers, including Members of Congress, the Department of State, and key White House staff to solicit support.

ABOUT THE COMMISSION

The National Commission on U.S.-Indonesian Relations is composed of a number of prominent Americans--former foreign policy practitioners and leading Indonesia specialists--representing a diverse range of backgrounds, interests, and opinions. The Commission is sponsored by the Asia-Pacific Center at Stanford University, The National Bureau of Asian Research, and the United States-Indonesia Society.