Clinton denies funds steer policy on Indonesia

Clinton denies funds steer policy on Indonesia

WASHINGTON (Reuter): President Bill Clinton denies that any
contributions to the Democratic Party from an Indonesian
businessman influenced U.S. policy toward Indonesia.

"The answer to that is absolutely not," Clinton told a news
conference on Friday at which he was peppered with questions
about questionable contributions to the Democratic Party.

Republicans have raised questions as to whether the family of
Indonesian businessman James Riady, who has longstanding ties to
Clinton, influenced U.S. policy toward Indonesia by contributing
$475,000 to the Democratic Party and its candidates since 1991.

Clinton made a case that U.S. policy toward Indonesia had
actually been tougher under his presidency than his predecessor
George Bush.

America decided not to sell small arms to Indonesia because of
questionable human rights practices in East Timor, a former
Portuguese policy seeking independence from Indonesia. He said
the United States also co-sponsored a UN resolution in favor of
improved human rights for East Timor.

"I'm proud that we did that so I can tell you categorically
that there was no influence," he said.

The Justice Department on Friday rejected a request by the
citizen's lobbying group Common Cause for an independent counsel
to investigate alleged violations of finance laws by both the
Democratic and Republican presidential campaigns.

But Attorney General Janet Reno was still considering a
separate request by five congressional Republicans for an
independent counsel to investigate allegations that the Democrats
engaged in illegal fund-raising activities.