U.S. Ambassador bids farewell to Megawati
JAKARTA (JP): United States Ambassador to Indonesia Robert S. Gelbard paid a farewell call on Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday to mark the end of his turbulent nearly two-year posting here.
While his time in Jakarta was relatively brief, it was far from being controversy-free.
The former narcotics officer and special envoy to the Balkans often captured the headlines on account of his run-ins and disputes with several top Indonesian officials.
There have been more than a few public admissions of dislike directed against him, and even suggestions that he be expelled.
Top Cabinet officials and senior legislators mounted a relentless public attack on Gelbard.
Many publicly accused him of meddling in the country's domestic affairs.
Gelbard's successor is expected to arrive here in the near future.
House of Representatives Commission I for security and foreign affairs member Sophan Sophiaan said the House approved the new U.S. Ambassador last month.
"The process of approving the new U.S. Ambassador went smoothly as we had no objections to the proposed candidate. I think the House has probably already conveyed its approval to the government," Sophan told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
No official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the House would divulge the name of the new U.S.Ambassador.
However, the name of Ralph Boyce, the deputy assistant to the U.S. secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, has been mentioned as the leading candidate.
Megawati on Thursday also received farewell visits from French Ambassador Gerard Cros and Indian Ambassador Venkatraman at her office.
Meanwhile in Washington, Boyce in a hearing of the East Asia and the Pacific subcommittee of the House International Relations Committee warned of dire consequences if ethnic and political turmoil overwhelms Indonesia.
"Instability in the world's fourth most populous nation would threaten not only Indonesia's immediate neighbors, but also our strategic and regional interests," Boyce said as quoted by AFP.
"Fragmentation of the Indonesian state would, of course, be a disaster for regional stability," he added.
But despite his warnings, Boyce admitted that Washington could do little to ensure the survival of Indonesia's fledgling democracy.
"We must recognize that our ability, or that of any outside actor, to influence events in Indonesia is limited," said Boyce, who nevertheless added that despite problems, the country's democracy and society was making some progress.
Much of the political upheaval in the country, Boyce said represented the natural growing pains of a democracy.
"While it sometimes seems in chaos, Indonesia is truly in transition. Though the obstacles are formidable, democracy is beginning to take root," he said.
Boyce said the U.S. government would carefully "modulate" contact with Indonesia's armed forces, but would not ignore human rights abuses carried out by the military.(dja)