Battling graft key to RI progress: U.S.<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON (AFP): The United States has reaffirmed its
\nposition that rooting out graft is key to economic growth
\nfollowing Jakarta's move charging former Indonesian president
\nSoeharto with corruption.<\/p>\n
"Combating corruption through legal action and by improving
\nthe way business and government operate is essential to economic
\nprogress and good governance, not only in Indonesia but in all
\nnations," the State Department said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The statement did not directly refer to the longtime leader
\nand former Washington ally and said decisions on how to prosecute
\ngraft had to be made by Indonesians themselves.<\/p>\n
"It's up to the Indonesian people and their government to
\ndecide how to pursue specific corruption investigation and
\nprosecution," said the statement, released on Thursday.<\/p>\n
"Given popular calls for firm and resolute investigation and
\nfollow up of this matter in Indonesia, we expect that the issue
\nof corruption will continue to be the focus of debate and legal
\naction there," it added.<\/p>\n
State prosecutors charged Soeharto with corruption on
\nThursday, bringing him a step closer to a criminal trial.<\/p>\n
He is charged with embezzling US$550 million during his iron-
\nfisted 32-year rule, which started when he catapulted to power as
\na young army general on the heels of a failed coup in 1965 blamed
\non communists.<\/p>\n
"The U.S. government has long held that corruption is the most
\nserious impediment to economic growth and respect for law in
\ndeveloping countries" the State Department said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/battling-graft-key-to-ri-progress-us-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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