U.S. envoy denies minister's allegation

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".