Foreign election observers

Foreign election observers

An honest and fair general election is one of the instruments
that can save Indonesia. And since the presence of independent
observers is needed to ensure that this goal is achieved, Japan,
the United States, Britain, France, the Netherlands and Belgium
are feeling called upon to offer their help.

The government should regard such foreign involvement in the
general election procedures as a token of their willingness to
help Indonesia accelerate its democratization process. If the
upcoming general election does, indeed, proceed honestly and
fairly, and the fact is recognized by those countries'
governments, then the international legitimacy of the new
Indonesian government that is to be formed will be assured.

On the international forum, Indonesia would then no longer be
accused of being antidemocratic. Another advantage would be that
our own independent observers would have partners to work with.
All this would make the upcoming 1999 general election accepted
by all and that would greatly help to accelerate the process of
building a sound and mature democracy.

-- Jawa Pos, Surabaya