America lauds RI's struggle for reform

Ralph L. Boyce, U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Jakarta

I note our successes and our set backs to emphasize that the rule of law is a process, not an end-point. Bold steps by Indonesia to make its government more representative, more transparent, and closer to the people, and strong actions to eradicate corruption will help resolve inter group conflicts. And it can best achieve this by enshrining the rule of law in its legal and judicial institutions. The resulting security and predictability will attract the foreign investment necessary to restore high levels of economic growth, improving the lives of all Indonesians.

President Megawati Soekarnoputri's government has demonstrated its commitment to improving the rule of law. The United States will do all it can to support that effort. In the last year the Indonesian government has done more to root out corruption, try those responsible for past crimes, and make the justice system work than at any other time in Indonesia's history.

To bring court cases against the son of a former president, speaker of parliament, former head of the State Logistics Agency, president of the central bank, dozens of wealthy businessmen, former provincial governors, militia members, and several high ranking military officers is an impressive, unprecedented drive for accountability in Indonesian history. This drive for accountability must be maintained to ensure that transparency, respect for human rights, and the rule of law take root and flourish.

The Indonesians have also worked diligently to tackle the causes of separatist violence. The special autonomy law for Papua addresses the problems in that resource rich province and is a model of responsive legislation, crafted in close consultation with the public.

The Special Autonomy law for Aceh represents an excellent basis for resolving the conflict there as well. We strongly support the dialog process between the Indonesian government and the Free Aceh Movement to bring peace to Aceh and improve the lives of the Acehnese people. Again, promoting the rule of law and respect for human rights are essential to achieving that goal.

President Megawati's government's comprehensive efforts to forge peace in Maluku and Central Sulawesi through the Malino Accords again demonstrate Indonesia's commitment to reform, justice and accountability. I hope the Indonesian government will intensify its efforts to make the promise of those Accords a reality.

Such a drive would be impressive if it took place in isolation but, remarkably, the people and government of Indonesia are carrying out a sweeping transformation of the state at the same time with the most far reaching program of decentralization ever carried out, anywhere. Thousands of government workers have moved from the center to the local level and a vast range of powers and responsibilities have moved with them.

These efforts, coupled with the constitutional reform process that is taking place in the Peoples' Consultative Assembly right now, holds the promise of totally transforming Indonesian democracy in a remarkably short period of time. President Soeharto's fall in 1998 to direct presidential elections in 2004 will signal the completion of this first bold phase of reform in just a few years.

Last week, President Megawati, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Dorodjatun Kuntjoro Jakti and Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono all stressed their commitment to reform, rule of law and accountability in their meetings with Secretary of State Colin Powell. The Secretary urged this great nation to redouble its efforts in that regard and to fight corruption and strengthen the rule of law and respect for human rights.

In this, he was exactly right. Indonesia's strength and its wealth is its diversity. Yet, managing that diversity remains its greatest challenge. Democracy and the rule of law have proven themselves the world over as the most effective way to promote pluralism, ensuring that no group or person is left behind. They can, and will, do the same here in Indonesia.

The U.S. is expanding our partnership with Indonesia to achieve those ends. We already provide millions of dollars in training to the Indonesian police and will provide some US$47 million more during the next four years.

Through the U.S. Agency for International Development, we are providing wide-ranging assistance to improve Indonesia's justice system. We support efforts to resolve and prevent conflict in Aceh, Papua, Sulawesi, and Maluku with food, shelter, materials, carpentry kits, community reconciliation programs, economic assistance, education, and in some cases resettlement assistance.

We fund assistance to local governments to improve services through better planning and budgeting and expanding community participation. The hope is a stronger, more accountable government that is able to make the most out of decentralization. We also provide support Indonesian organizations and training to help Indonesia lawmakers, both at the center and in the regions, to achieve their legislative goals.

The enormous changes that Indonesia has already carried out and the profound transformations still going on will reinforce Indonesia's ability to compete-and win-in today's fast moving global market place. Indonesia has been a pioneer of international commerce. It's diversity and commitment to reform will open the doors to a great future. Indonesians demand much of themselves and of their leaders, the road ahead will not be easy but I know that they will stay on the path of justice that leads to prosperity.

This paper was presented during the Castle Asia Conference on Pluralism, Intergroup Conflict, and National Economic Recovery in Jakarta on Aug. 7.