TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - US Ambassador to Indonesia Joseph R. Donovan mentioned about Freeport's contract in Indonesia. In a meeting with President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday,, Donovan talked about the Freeport unsettled contract dispute.
"The ambassador of the United States raised that [issue]. He asserted that it is an issue," head of the Investment Coordinating Board Thomas Lembong told reporters at the Palace complex on Tuesday.
Contract negotiations between Freeport and the Indonesian government are still ongoing. There are four issues that are being negotiated: the continuation of operations, smelter development, fiscal policies and shares divestment.
Read: Govt Insists That Freeport Divest 51 Percent Stake
Lembong said that the Freeport issue was only discussed briefly in the meeting. He was reluctant to disclose the details, but said that the discussion was short because matters regarding Freeport's negotiation arebeing handled by the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister.
Even so, Lembong said that the discussion was a positive one. Donovan, he said, appreciated the negotiation process that went so far.
"The issue was raised because it is great for the Indonesian economy and bilateral relations with the United States," he said. "If Indonesia is a peaceful, fair and secure nation, it will be positive for the US too."
ISTMAN MP
