U.S. government supports democratic Indonesia<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The United States has reiterated its continuing
\nsupport for Indonesia to resolve its internal conflicts by
\npeaceful and democratic means.<\/p>\n
\"The United States strongly supports a peaceful, democratic,
\nconstitutional political process in Indonesia,\" according to a
\nstatement by the American Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The statement came in the wake of various interpretations and
\nreactions by Indonesian politicians, government and military
\nofficials to a March 2 editorial of the Washington Post.<\/p>\n
Many read the editorial as suggesting that the administration
\nof President George W. Bush would turn to the Indonesian Military
\nto prevent the country from plunging into anarchy.<\/p>\n
Others interpreted this as condoning a military takeover amid
\nwidespread speculations of a possible coup d'etat in view of the
\npresent political crisis engulfing the country.<\/p>\n
The military has firmly denied the suggestions.<\/p>\n
\"The United States welcomes recent statements by senior
\nIndonesian military officials that the military will respect the
\nConstitution and remain out of politics,\" the short statement by
\nthe embassy said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia still faces an embargo on sales of U.S. military
\nequipment and aid, which was imposed by the then Clinton
\nadministration in late 1998 because of Jakarta's poor handling of
\nthe East Timor debacle.<\/p>\n
Many experts believe, or hope, that the embargo would soon be
\nlifted by the new Bush administration.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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