*EPF309 06/02/2004
Text: U.S. Concerned about Indonesia's Expulsion of Crisis Group Staff
(State Department questions rationale for decision) (240)

The United States government is concerned about the Indonesian government's decision to expel Sidney Jones, a respected policy analyst with the International Crisis Group (ICG), and another member of her staff, according to a June 2 statement released by the U.S. Department of State.

The ICG is an independent, non-profit multinational organization funded by governments, charitable foundations, companies and individual donors. With over 100 staff members on five continents, it works through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy to prevent and resolve deadly conflict.

Following is the full text of the statement:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
June 2, 2004

STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN

Indonesia -- Expulsion of International Crisis Group Staff

We understand that the Indonesian Government has asked the Director of International Crisis Group's Jakarta office, Sidney Jones, and an additional member on her staff to leave the country.

We are very concerned about this development. Ms. Jones is a highly respected policy analyst, and we are not aware of any actions by her or other members of her organization that would warrant any such step by Indonesia. Such expulsions would be particularly disappointing because this would stand in stark contrast to the impressive progress made by Indonesia in recent years in developing a democratic civil society with freedom of expression.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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