U.S. Ambassador bids farewell to Megawati<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): United States Ambassador to Indonesia Robert S.
\nGelbard paid a farewell call on Vice President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri on Thursday to mark the end of his turbulent nearly
\ntwo-year posting here.<\/p>\n
While his time in Jakarta was relatively brief, it was far
\nfrom being controversy-free.<\/p>\n
The former narcotics officer and special envoy to the Balkans
\noften captured the headlines on account of his run-ins and
\ndisputes with several top Indonesian officials.<\/p>\n
There have been more than a few public admissions of dislike
\ndirected against him, and even suggestions that he be expelled.<\/p>\n
Top Cabinet officials and senior legislators mounted a
\nrelentless public attack on Gelbard.<\/p>\n
Many publicly accused him of meddling in the country's
\ndomestic affairs.<\/p>\n
Gelbard's successor is expected to arrive here in the near
\nfuture.<\/p>\n
House of Representatives Commission I for security and foreign
\naffairs member Sophan Sophiaan said the House approved the new
\nU.S. Ambassador last month.<\/p>\n
\"The process of approving the new U.S. Ambassador went
\nsmoothly as we had no objections to the proposed candidate. I
\nthink the House has probably already conveyed its approval to the
\ngovernment,\" Sophan told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.<\/p>\n
No official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the House
\nwould divulge the name of the new U.S.Ambassador.<\/p>\n
However, the name of Ralph Boyce, the deputy assistant to the
\nU.S. secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, has
\nbeen mentioned as the leading candidate.<\/p>\n
Megawati on Thursday also received farewell visits from French
\nAmbassador Gerard Cros and Indian Ambassador Venkatraman at her
\noffice.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Washington, Boyce in a hearing of the East Asia
\nand the Pacific subcommittee of the House International Relations
\nCommittee warned of dire consequences if ethnic and political
\nturmoil overwhelms Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"Instability in the world's fourth most populous nation would
\nthreaten not only Indonesia's immediate neighbors, but also our
\nstrategic and regional interests,\" Boyce said as quoted by AFP.<\/p>\n
\"Fragmentation of the Indonesian state would, of course, be a
\ndisaster for regional stability,\" he added.<\/p>\n
But despite his warnings, Boyce admitted that Washington could
\ndo little to ensure the survival of Indonesia's fledgling
\ndemocracy.<\/p>\n
\"We must recognize that our ability, or that of any outside
\nactor, to influence events in Indonesia is limited,\" said Boyce,
\nwho nevertheless added that despite problems, the country's
\ndemocracy and society was making some progress.<\/p>\n
Much of the political upheaval in the country, Boyce said
\nrepresented the natural growing pains of a democracy.<\/p>\n
\"While it sometimes seems in chaos, Indonesia is truly in
\ntransition. Though the obstacles are formidable, democracy is
\nbeginning to take root,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Boyce said the U.S. government would carefully \"modulate\"
\ncontact with Indonesia's armed forces, but would not ignore human
\nrights abuses carried out by the military.(dja)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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