ASSUMED OIL PRICE IN 2003 STATE BUDGET IRRELEVANT NOW, SAYS OFFICIAL.

(From Antara - The Indonesian National News Agency)

Jakarta, March 17 (ANTARA) - With the world oil price now standing at around US&35 per barrel, the oil price assumed in Indonesia's 2003 state budget (US$22 per barrel) has become irrelevant, a senior Mines and Energy Ministry official said.

Iin Arifin Tachyan, director general of oil and gas affairs at the Energy and Mineral Resource Ministry, said here Monday, the assumed oil price in the state budget should now be at least US$25 per barrel.

He said he did not know whether the assumed price would be changed as such a change could only be effected with the government's and the parliament's …