U.S. envoy denies minister's allegation

JAKARTA (JP): The United States Embassy in a statement here on Monday denied allegations by Mahfud MD that U.S. Ambassador Robert Gelbard had tried to influence the selection of a new Army Chief of Staff.

"The U.S. Embassy categorically denies press reports quoting Minister of Defense Mahfud MD as saying that the U.S. ambassador tried to influence the selection of the Army chief," the statement said.

"The appointment of senior officials in the Indonesian government is an internal matter of the Indonesian government...Neither the U.S. ambassador nor any other U.S. officials sought to influence the decision on the appointment of the Army chief or any other Indonesian Military official with President Wahid or with any other officials of the Indonesian government," the embassy said.

President Abdurrahman Wahid earlier this month appointed Gen. Endriartono Sutarto as the new Army chief and Adm. Indroko Sastrowiryono as Navy chief.

Mahfud had earlier been quoted as saying that Gelbard had lobbied for the selection of Lt. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah.

"The U.S. Embassy is deeply concerned by these kinds of false statements emanating from the Ministry of Defense and elsewhere," the statement said. "They are also harmful to the good relations between the United States and Indonesia".