Indonesia not to ban foreign NGOs in Aceh

The Indonesian government will not ban foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from carrying out emergency relief efforts in the tsunami-hit Aceh Province so long as they keep transparent in activities and finance, a Indoneisan minister said in Jakarta Monday.

The decision is made due to the government's prediction that more money will be donated by donor countries and NGOs to Indonesia for the reconstruction of Aceh, Alwi Shihab, coordinating minister for people's welfare and poverty alleviation,was quoted by the Kompas Cyber Media as saying.

"We will not stop or limit activities of the NGOs, but we want them to be transparent to us about their qualification, the number of funds they collect and what kind of activities whey willcarry out in the reconstruction phase," Shihab said.

Within the next two days, the government will officially informthe NGOs about the decision, he added.

The government will shift its schedule for Aceh from relief phase to reconstruction phase from March 26. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked all foreign troops in Aceh to leave before March 26 to ensure its sovereignty, while other kinds of organizations are allowed to stay on.

Source: Xinhua