Scapegoats for Indonesia's timber problems

JAKARTA - In a further attempt to get Singapore and Malaysia to crack down on the illegal import of Indonesian logs, Forestry Minister M Prakosa is to visit both countries and China early next month for talks that seem futile from the start. Prakosa said Singapore remains uncooperative and has not responded to earlier requests that it stop receiving illegal logs. In a fine turn of phrase, he accused them of "timber laundering". After a hearing with House of Representatives Commission III for forestry and agriculture last week the minister said, "Singapore accepts the timber. The transit there is to launder the illegal timber."