Sonny Keraf regrets U.S. ambassador's anti-American charge

State Minister of Environmental Affairs/Chairman of the Investment Impact Management Agency Sonny Keraf has expressed his regret over the comment made by the U.S. ambassador to Indonesia Robert Gelbert that he is anti-American.

"As an ambassador from a country which gives a strong respect to democracy, it is regrettable that he made such in appropriate comment," Sonny was quoted as saying by the afternoon newspaper Suara Pembaruan.

The Indonesian minister said that the American ambassador's remarks did not only indicate that he had interfered the Indonesian domestic affairs but also showed that he protected American companies, which did not care about the environmental problem.

In a report carried by the Washington Post last week, Gilbert said that he was upset over the reappointment of Sonny in President Abdurrahman's new cabinet. The ambassador described the Indonesian minister as anti-American.

Sonny said he did not surprise with the American ambassador's response. He said since his office proposed for the establishment of a special team to study for the possibility of reviewing the contracts of works awarded to PT Freeport Indonesia late last year, Gilbert and American top political figure Henry Kissinger had strongly lobbied the Indonesian government not to touch the mining giant.

Sonny strongly denied that he had an anti-sentiment against Indonesian mining companies, saying that his main concern was not to take harsh measure against American companies but to those which showed no protection and respect on the environment.

All mining companies in Indonesia, regardless of their origins, would receive a similar treatment, if they violated the environment standards set by his office, he added. He said his strong policy had received a good response from international organizations such as from Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, the Germany and Japan. (*)