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.