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.