The UnitedStates has decided to stop providing aid in the form of maritime equipment toIndonesia due to economic considerations, Maritime Affairs and FisheriesMinister Sharif Cicip Sutardjo said Friday.
“[The USgovernment] has said it will temporarily stop providing equipment aid inNovember because of an economic deficit problem, so ship aid will be stopped,”Sharif said at a press conference after meeting the US ambassador to Indonesia,as quoted by tempointeraktif.com.
InSeptember 2007, Indonesia and the US signed an agreement to cooperate throughthe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) foundation, in thefields of research and technology and applications in maritime affairs andfisheries.
Since then,the US has provided Indonesia with sophisticated equipment including ships thatcan photograph and observe underwater life.
The US hasnot officially announced the decision as yet, but is likely to do so before theend of the year, Sharif said.
The US’technical maritime assistance to Indonesia is worth up to US$35 million, hesaid.
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