Bush leads world in hailing Megawati's post<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Congratulatory remarks and comments flooded in
\nimmediately after Megawati Soekarnoputri was sworn in as
\npresident, including from United States President George W. Bush
\nwho said he was looking forward to working with the new
\nIndonesian leader.<\/p>\n
Bush urged Megawati on Monday and all other parties in the
\ncountry to work together to maintain peace.<\/p>\n
\"The people of Indonesia, by addressing their leadership
\ncrisis and with their constitution and law have shown commitment
\nto the rule of law and democracy,\" Bush said as quoted by
\nReuters.<\/p>\n
\"We hope all parties will work together to maintain peace,
\nsupport the constitution and promote national reconciliation.\"<\/p>\n
Bush made the comments in Rome during a joint news conference
\nwith Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.<\/p>\n
\"We appreciate President (Abdurrahman) Wahid's work in the
\nlast two years leading Indonesia through its democratic
\ntransition,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We look forward to working with President Megawati and her
\nteam to address Indonesia's challenges of economic reform,
\npeaceful resolution of separatist challenges and maintaining
\nterritorial integrity.\"<\/p>\n
In Tokyo Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi promised
\nthe new Indonesian President on Monday his government's full
\nsupport, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.<\/p>\n
The Ministry said in a statement that Koizumi, in a
\ncongratulatory note to Megawati, also expressed Japan's hope for
\nestablishing stronger ties with Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Japan is Indonesia's biggest creditor and aid donor.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile from Hanoi, the 10-member Association of South East
\nAsian Nations (ASEAN) recognizes Megawati's presidency, ASEAN
\nSecretary-General Rodolfo Severino said on Monday.<\/p>\n
\"ASEAN now accepts that the government of Indonesia has been
\nchanged,\" he told reporters in Hanoi, where ASEAN foreign
\nministers are holding a week of meetings.<\/p>\n
\"I think it's a reality, this change,\" Severino said.<\/p>\n
\"The supreme court has spoken, the parliament has spoken, the
\nAssembly and we have to accept that.\"<\/p>\n
Indonesia is a founding member of the regional grouping which
\nwas formed in 1967.<\/p>\n
ASEAN foreign ministers individually also expressed support
\nfor the appointment of Megawati as president.<\/p>\n
\"It is my hope that this will enable Indonesia under her
\nleadership to have a period of calm during which they will begin
\nto address the very serious problems they have had in recent
\ntimes,\" Singaporean Foreign Minister S. Jayakumar said.<\/p>\n
\"Of course Indonesia's problems are complex and cannot be
\nsolved overnight. But at least they'll begin to start addressing
\nthe problems seriously,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai responded: \"Our
\nposition is that whatever happens, it's up to the people of
\nIndonesia to decide. So we stand by the people of Indonesia.\"<\/p>\n
The Philippines, meanwhile, hailed the transition of power in
\nJakarta, stressing there were no immediate reports of violence.
\n\"The good news is, it's taking place peacefully,\" foreign
\ndepartment spokesman Victoriano Lecaros said.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, Singapore's Ambassador Edward Lee was one of the
\nfirst guests to be received by Megawati returning to the vice
\npresidential office after the swearing in ceremony.<\/p>\n
Both Singapore President S.R. Nathan and Prime Minister Goh
\nChok Tong also sent their congratulatory letters to Megawati
\nexpressing confidence of continued good cooperation between the
\ntwo countries.<\/p>\n
Bangladesh also welcomed on Monday the installation of
\nMegawati.<\/p>\n
\"Bangladesh looks forward to working with the new leadership
\nin Jakarta,\" acting foreign secretary Mohsin Ali told AFP.<\/p>\n
He said President Shahabudin Ahmed and Latifur Rahman, who
\nhead the caretaker government which is organizing elections in
\nBangladesh, had sent separate messages to Megawati.<\/p>",
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