RI calls for end to military approach in Iraq

RI calls for end to military approach in Iraq

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim majority country,
called on Thursday for an immediate end to the military approach
of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq, where more than 700 Iraqis and
83 American troops have died in the past two weeks.

"It is our belief that the coalition countries can put their
efforts into the political dialog process rather than the use of
force in Iraq," Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman
Marty A. Natalegawa told The Jakarta Post.

He was responding to a question about U.S. President George W.
Bush's statement on Tuesday that more U.S. troops might be needed
to stop the violence in Iraq.

Speaking during a rare prime-time news conference, Bush said
that Gen. John Abizaid, the commander of the 135,000 U.S.
soldiers in Iraq, had requested additional troops. Bush promised
to send more troops to crush the uprising in Iraq.

Marty also expressed confidence the handover of power to
Iraqis would take place as scheduled on June 30.

"We continue to remain concerned over the increasing violence
in Iraq, but we also welcome the visit by the special UN envoy to
Iraq as an indication that sovereignty can be handed over on the
June 30 deadline," Marty said.

Marty was referring to United Nations special envoy Lakhdar
Brahimi, who is in Iraq to study the situation ahead of the June
30 deadline, and to prepare the grounds for a free and fair
election under the auspices of the UN.

A UN election assistance team under the leadership of Karina
Parelli is also in Iraq to develop plans for next January's
election.

Indonesia has criticized Washington over last year's invasion
of Iraq and the ensuing occupation, saying it would stoke
militant radicalism in the Islamic world.