Bush leads world in hailing Megawati's post
JAKARTA (JP): Congratulatory remarks and comments flooded in immediately after Megawati Soekarnoputri was sworn in as president, including from United States President George W. Bush who said he was looking forward to working with the new Indonesian leader.
Bush urged Megawati on Monday and all other parties in the country to work together to maintain peace.
"The people of Indonesia, by addressing their leadership crisis and with their constitution and law have shown commitment to the rule of law and democracy," Bush said as quoted by Reuters.
"We hope all parties will work together to maintain peace, support the constitution and promote national reconciliation."
Bush made the comments in Rome during a joint news conference with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
"We appreciate President (Abdurrahman) Wahid's work in the last two years leading Indonesia through its democratic transition," he said.
"We look forward to working with President Megawati and her team to address Indonesia's challenges of economic reform, peaceful resolution of separatist challenges and maintaining territorial integrity."
In Tokyo Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi promised the new Indonesian President on Monday his government's full support, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.
The Ministry said in a statement that Koizumi, in a congratulatory note to Megawati, also expressed Japan's hope for establishing stronger ties with Indonesia.
Japan is Indonesia's biggest creditor and aid donor.
Meanwhile from Hanoi, the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) recognizes Megawati's presidency, ASEAN Secretary-General Rodolfo Severino said on Monday.
"ASEAN now accepts that the government of Indonesia has been changed," he told reporters in Hanoi, where ASEAN foreign ministers are holding a week of meetings.
"I think it's a reality, this change," Severino said.
"The supreme court has spoken, the parliament has spoken, the Assembly and we have to accept that."
Indonesia is a founding member of the regional grouping which was formed in 1967.
ASEAN foreign ministers individually also expressed support for the appointment of Megawati as president.
"It is my hope that this will enable Indonesia under her leadership to have a period of calm during which they will begin to address the very serious problems they have had in recent times," Singaporean Foreign Minister S. Jayakumar said.
"Of course Indonesia's problems are complex and cannot be solved overnight. But at least they'll begin to start addressing the problems seriously," he said.
Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai responded: "Our position is that whatever happens, it's up to the people of Indonesia to decide. So we stand by the people of Indonesia."
The Philippines, meanwhile, hailed the transition of power in Jakarta, stressing there were no immediate reports of violence. "The good news is, it's taking place peacefully," foreign department spokesman Victoriano Lecaros said.
In Jakarta, Singapore's Ambassador Edward Lee was one of the first guests to be received by Megawati returning to the vice presidential office after the swearing in ceremony.
Both Singapore President S.R. Nathan and Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong also sent their congratulatory letters to Megawati expressing confidence of continued good cooperation between the two countries.
Bangladesh also welcomed on Monday the installation of Megawati.
"Bangladesh looks forward to working with the new leadership in Jakarta," acting foreign secretary Mohsin Ali told AFP.
He said President Shahabudin Ahmed and Latifur Rahman, who head the caretaker government which is organizing elections in Bangladesh, had sent separate messages to Megawati.