Indonesia donates US$2 m to DPRK

According to the Jakarta Globe:

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has agreed to send $2 million in aid to North Korea, a move that is expected to create closer ties with the reclusive country but which has already drawn criticism from rights activists.

Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said the decision was driven purely by humanitarian motives, but analysts quickly suggested that the aid could be seen as an attempt by Jakarta to cozy up to Pyongyang after Kim Yong-nam, chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly, visited earlier this month.

“We have considered the decision for a long time,” Marty said on Wednesday at a hearing with lawmakers in Jakarta.

“However, we’re still facing technical obstacles on how to ensure this humanitarian aid ends up in the hands of those who need it, not for other purposes.”

He said the government was considering working with the United Nations World Food Program or Unicef to ensure the funds reached the North Korean people.

Read the full story here:
Activists Criticize Jakarta’s $2m Gift To North Korea
Jakarta Globe
Ismira Lutfia
2012-6-1

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