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.