Australian lawmakers to aid election

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri met with visiting Australian parliament members on Thursday, and they told her that bilateral relations would remain strong regardless of the outcome of the upcoming elections.

"Whatever might happen in the elections, we will be a good friend to our nearest neighbor Indonesia," delegation chairman David Jull said after meeting with Megawati.

He said the upcoming elections would likely be an exciting time for Indonesia because of the direct presidential election, while adding that Australia was proud to be providing expertise as well as financial assistance for the election.

Indonesia will hold a direct presidential election for the first time in its history on July 5, with a possible runoff on Sept. 20, 2004.

"This is a huge job for your electoral authorities and Australia is assisting. We will be back to lend a hand during the election," Jull said.

During the meeting, the delegation also emphasized the importance of boosting people-to-people and legislator-to- legislator contact between the two countries. -- JP