Sentani, Papua (ANTARA News) - PT Freeport in Papua has been a major contributor to Indonesia in terms of improving its local and national economy, according to US Ambassador to Indonesia Robert O. Blake.

"I have been away from Jakarta for a week and did not receive the latest information on Freeport, but I can say that the company has made a major contribution to Indonesia by employing 30 thousand people and by paying a significant amount of taxes to the country," Blake remarked here on Friday.

The US ambassador made the statement in response to a question on reports of Maroef Sjamsoedins resignation from the post of Freeport president director.

"Things related to Maroefs resignation and Freeport are the internal matters of the company, so I have no authority to comment on it," Blake affirmed.

However, the US ambassador added that if he was given the right to speak on behalf of the mining company, he would say that Freeport has been committed to contributing to Indonesias development.

"If you wish and if I can speak on behalf of the company, I can say that Freeport is committed to continue running and collaborating with Indonesia," he noted.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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