Indonesian observers to monitor S. African elections

Indonesian observers to monitor S. African elections

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is currently in the final stages of
preparing a team of observers to oversee the first non-racial
elections in South Africa.

"I still have to check on the team's preparations but it is
certain that we will be sending observers there," Minister of
Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas confirmed yesterday.

Speaking at the foreign ministry building, Alatas also
indicated that an Indonesian liaison office will be opened in
time for the elections.

"We are trying as best as possible so that when the elections
take place, a liaison office, which will be the first stage of an
Indonesian representative office, will have already been set up,"
he said.

Officials had earlier said that Indonesia would be opening a
consulate in South Africa later this year mainly to cater to the
needs of Indonesian entrepreneurs who intend to do business there
following the United Nations' decision last October to lift the
economic embargo against Johannesburg.

On April 25-26, the former apartheid state of South Africa
will hold its first election where whites and non-whites will be
allowed to vote as equals.

With its previous experience, Indonesia was requested by the
United Nations to send observers to oversee the fair execution of
this historic election.

The Director for Information at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Irawan Abidin, said the observers mission will be
comprised of 15 people from various departments in the
government.

Included in the mission will be members of the House of
Representatives (DPR), and officials of the Ministry of Home
Affairs and Ministry of Defense and Security along with those
from the Foreign Ministry.

Indonesia in the past was called upon to perform a similar
task during the elections in Russia and most notably Cambodia.

When asked who would head the mission, Irawan said it has yet
to be decided, but speculated it would likely be someone from the
DPR since they are the nation's highest governing body.

He added that Indonesia was also donating an unspecified
amount of money to facilitate the election process. (07)