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)