RI polls strong example: U.S.

RI polls strong example: U.S.

Agencies, Washington

The United States congratulated Indonesia on Monday on the conclusion of its first-ever direct elections of its president, saying the polls set a good example of democracy for Asia.

"We congratulate Indonesia on the conclusion of these historic elections," U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said on Monday in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post by the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta on Tuesday.

"What we have seen is that these elections have set a strong example for the region and emerging democracies everywhere," Ereli said in Washington.

"As Indonesia's close friend and partner, the United States strongly supports the country's democratic process," the statement said.

The landmark poll is a milestone in Indonesia's sometimes violent transition to democracy since the fall of authoritarian Soeharto regime in 1998.

Although the official result of the elections will not be known until Oct. 5, incumbent President Megawati Soekarnoputri is seen to be headed for landslide defeat at the hands of former general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono who has promised better security and economic reform.

Susilo is predicted to win 61.2 percent of the votes against 38.8 percent for Megawati, according to credible surveys released just hours after ballots closed but days ahead of full official results.

"I wouldn't start speculating about a new government, because the results of the elections are not final, nor have they been announced," Ereli said when asked whether the United States expected cooperation against terrorism to intensify under any new administration.

Separately, Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on Tuesday his country would enjoy a close security relationship with Indonesia if Susilo won the presidential elections.

Howard described Susilo as an able man and noted that he had already visited Australia. Megawati never visited Australia during her time in office.

Howard would not directly comment on whether Susilo would be stronger in the war on terrorism than Megawati.

"I believe that under a Yudhoyono (Susilo) administration we will have a very close security arrangement," Howard told Cairns radio station 4CA.

Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said on Monday the outcome of the presidential election would not alter Canberra's close ties with Jakarta.