Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono assured former US presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton that Indonesia would be accountable in managing the funds for victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami in the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra, local media reported Monday.
"From their gestures, I am sure they trust Indonesia to manage all of the aid, including aid from abroad," Susilo said at Polonia Airport in Medan after meeting with the former presidents.
"I also assured them that Indonesia would be accountable in managing the funds," Susilo was quoted by the Jakarta Post as saying.
US President George W. Bush appointed his father George Bush and Bill Clinton to head private US fund-raising efforts following the disaster. Clinton has also been named by the United Nations as a special envoy for tsunami relief.
President Susilo said there was no discussion of foreign aid commitment during his meeting with Clinton and Bush.
He said he expected a reconstruction master plan for northern tip area of Indonesia's Sumatra island of Aceh to be completed in March, after which reconstruction work could begin.
(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2005)
