please don't mention the names of Lee Kuan Yew, Kissinger

[Robert Weissman <rob@essential.org>]

Indonesian Observer
November 9, 1999

Lee, Kissinger, Volcker asked to be RI advisers

JAKARTA (IO) - Economic czar Kwik Kian Gie told reporters yesterday the
government is asking scores of world figures to become advisers to help
President Abdurrahman 'Gus Dur' Wahid speed up the country's economic
recovery.

The inclusion of such widely respected international figures would give
Indonesia "a great help" in its economic recovery program, Kwik said after
a cabinet meeting on the economy, finance and industry which was chaired by
Vice-President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"The involvement of such international figures means the government will
get a second opinion.

"As you know, the president is set to form the Economic, Social and
Security Councils which would then provide a second opinion for the
Cabinet. But globally, the international [community] also demands a Council
that gives a second opinion, so that in facing the IMF and the World Bank,
we will have a sound board supported by highly competent, internationally
recognized and well-experienced figures," Kwik said.

When asked about the names, Kwik said: "Please don't mention the names, it
is still uncertain whether they will accept or not."

However, sources familiar with the matter told the paper, the government
has approached Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, former chairman of
the US Federal Reserve Paul Volcker and former US State Secretary Henry
Kissinger.

Economic gurus

In another development, Secretary General of the National Economic Council
Yusuf Faisal named yesterday the economists who will join the Council.

"It will be a 17-strong Council chaired by Subiakto Tjakrawerdaya with
seven senior advisers and 10 advisers," Faisal told the Jakarta First
Channel-Radio Trijaya.

Senior advisers will include Prof. Emil Salim, Prof. Soebroto, Prof.
Boediono, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Abdillah Thoha, Faisal Basri, and Kuntoro
Mangkusubroto.

Advisers may include Anggito Abimanyu, M. Ichsan, Faturrachman and
Komaradjaja.  "Until now they haven't given a formal rejection to the
proposal," Faisal said.