'Washington won't back army coup'<\/p>\n
SURABAYA (JP): A U.S. envoy gave a reassurance here on
\nWednesday that Washington would not back a military coup against
\nthe civilian government in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters during a one-day visit to the East Java
\ncapital, the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Gelbard
\nreiterated that Washington would continue to support the
\ntransition towards stronger democracy in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
He also said that he recently met with the Army Chief of Staff
\nGen. Endriartono Sutarto and praised his remarks that the
\nmilitary should stay out of politics.<\/p>\n
\"I congratulated Mr. Endriartono on his statements that the
\nIndonesian Military would stay out of politics. That's a correct
\nposition,\" said Gelbard who was in East Java to attend the
\nopening of The International Village at Surabaya University.<\/p>\n
Gelbard, who in the past had been accused of interfering in
\nIndonesia's domestic affairs, refused to be drawn when asked by a
\njournalist of his view of the current political turmoil.<\/p>\n
\"It is internal affairs. I am very confident that the
\nIndonesian people can decide by themselves. I know the Indonesian
\npeople are very wise and smart like you,\" he quipped.(nur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/washington-wont-back-army-coup-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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