U.S. Ambassador bids farewell to Megawati

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)