Envoys deny meddling in presidential election

Envoys deny meddling in presidential election

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja and Novan Iman Santosa, Jakarta

Japan and the United States dismissed on Thursday accusations
that they had interfered with Indonesia's general election,
asserting their readiness to cooperate with the next Indonesian
government.

Japanese Ambassador Yutaka Iimura said his country would stay
neutral and was happy to work with whoever is democratically
elected in the upcoming presidential election.

"I know that there were rumors among political circles in
Jakarta that we support Megawati Soekarnoputri, while the U.S.
supports SBY (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono)," he told a discussion
organized by the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI).

"We are neutral, and do not favor any candidate."

Iimura further said the general situation during the elections
so far had been peaceful and fair.

Susilo and Megawati qualified for the runoff in September
after finishing first and second respectively in the July 5
presidential election

Separately, U.S. Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce expressed surprise
his compliment that the election had been peaceful, successful
and fair, had been regarded as interference.

"I noticed that some foreign observers of the election were
criticized, and frankly I am a little bit surprised, because that
was meant as a compliment," he said.

Boyce also denied reports that U.S. Secretary of State Colin
Powell met Susilo during his trip here for the ASEAN Regional
Forum (ARF), just days before the presidential election.

"Powell came to attend the ARF meeting with 22 foreign
ministers and it was a multilateral meeting.

"He was unable to meet the President as he (instead) visited a
refugee camp in Sudan. He arrived late to pay a courtesy call on
her," he said.

Boyce added that it would be completely inappropriate to have
a separate meeting with Susilo, who has been tipped by pollsters
as standing the better chance of winning the presidency.

"I want to ensure everybody he (Powell) did not (meet with
Susilo)."

Meanwhile, Iimura also reminded Indonesia of the international
implications of the election results, saying that regional
stability in Southeast Asia, or even East Asia, would be
jeopardized without a stable Indonesia.

"I think the most effective way to counter terrorism is to
have a stable, democratic Indonesia," he said.