[Kabar-indonesia] USNS Mercy finishes RI mission [+Meutia visits African countries]

[Joyo at aol.com]

also: Meutia visits African countries; Australia introduces 
consul to W. Sumatra; and Foreign Ministry to hold 
ASEM seminar

The Jakarta Post 
Saturday, September 2, 2006

USNS Mercy finishes RI mission

INDONESIA: The United States Navy hospital ship, the USNS Mercy, ended its 
six-week mission last Friday with a ceremony held on board the ship in Kupang, 
East Nusa Tenggara.

In his speech, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia B. Lynn Pascoe expressed 
appreciation for the close cooperation between the Indonesian government, NGOs and the 
Mercy medical and engineering staff, saying that it was an excellent example 
of the enduring partnership between the U.S. and Indonesia.

The USNS Mercy provided medical care to more than 29,000 Indonesians during 
this 2006 humanitarian mission to Indonesia, which began on July 13 in 
Simeulue, North Sumatra.

Working with medical teams from the Indonesian Military, international NGOs 
and local governments, the USNS Mercy was able to provide a wide range of 
medical services, training for health professional and other community service 
programs in Simeulue, Nias, Banda Aceh, Tarakan and Kupang.

Overall, the Mercy team supported 350 medical operations on shore and at sea, 
provided primary and acute health care to more than 11,000 Indonesians and 
physical therapy for 505 people.

Staff treated more than 2,500 children and provided more than 13,300 
immunizations. Mercy also conducted 11,000 more eye exams and distributed more than 
8,900 pairs of eyeglasses.

The USNS Mercy and its partners were able to provide training to more than 
3,400 Indonesian health professionals and medical students.

The ceremony was attended by distinguished Indonesian guests including 
Surgeon General Maj. Gen. A. Hidayat and the Governor of East Nusa Tenggara Piet A. 
Tallo and flag officers from the U.S. Navy Pacific Command.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The Jakarta Post 
Saturday, September 2, 2006

Meutia visits African countries

INDONESIA: State Minister for Women's Empowerment Meutia Farida Hatta Swasono 
is visiting three African countries to identify areas for cooperation in 
women-related projects.

The minister left Jakarta on Aug. 27 to visit Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South 
Africa.

The trip is expected to provide an opportunity for Meutia to share ideas and 
experiences in improving gender equality and advancing the economic status of 
women.

Indonesia is also interested in projects designed to contain the impact of 
HIV and AIDS.

Meutia is scheduled to meet Zimbabwean Vice President Joyce Mujuru, 
Mozambique President Armando Emilio Guebuza and South African Minister in the Office of 
the President Essop Pahad.

According to a press release from the Zimbabwean Embassy in Jakarta, Meutia 
is also scheduled to attend the first New Asian African Strategic Partnership 
(NAASP) Senior Officials Meeting in Durban, South Africa, on September 1-3.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Jakarta Post 
Saturday, September 2, 2006

Australia introduces consul to W. Sumatra

INDONESIA: Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Bill Farmer visited West 
Sumatra's capital Padang on Thursday to introduce Mick Stevens, the newly accredited 
Australian Honorary Consul to the province.

Stevens, who is also the Honorary Consul to North Sumatra, played a major 
role in assisting the Australian Embassy in Jakarta to coordinate the arrival and 
transfer of relief efforts after the 2004 tsunami.

"Mr. Stevens will provide a valuable link to the Embassy in Jakarta for the 
Australian communities in North and West Sumatra," Ambassador Farmer said.

On his visit, the ambassador also spoke at the 50th anniversary of Andalas 
University. He also acknowledged students involved in Australian studies.

"We are countries with differing cultures and traditions," Farmer said. "The 
Australian government actively seeks to deepen mutual understanding through 
encouraging cultural, people-to-people and educational relationships and 
activities."

The ambassador also toured the new library and resource center at the 
university. 

-------------------------------------------------------------

The Jakarta Post 
Saturday, September 2, 2006

Foreign Ministry to hold ASEM seminar

JAKARTA: In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the first Asia-Europe 
Meeting (ASEM), the Foreign Ministry on Monday will host a seminar to examine 
the progress in cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 
(ASEAN) and European countries.

In addition to Foreign Ministry officials, the seminar, to be held at the 
ministry's office on Jl. Pejambon in Central Jakarta, will also feature speakers 
from the Trade Ministry, Finance Ministry and the Centre for Strategic and 
International Studies (CSIS).

"The seminar will also discuss the possible agenda of the ASEM meeting in 
Finland later this month," Yuli Mumpuni, the Foreign Ministry's director for 
America and Europe cooperation, told The Jakarta Post.

The seminar will also be marked by the launch of a book on relations between 
ASEAN and Europe.

------------------------------------------ 
Joyo Indonesia News Service
------------------------------------------