Bush leads world in hailing Megawati's post

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.