U.S. government supports democratic Indonesia

JAKARTA (JP): The United States has reiterated its continuing support for Indonesia to resolve its internal conflicts by peaceful and democratic means.

"The United States strongly supports a peaceful, democratic, constitutional political process in Indonesia," according to a statement by the American Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday.

The statement came in the wake of various interpretations and reactions by Indonesian politicians, government and military officials to a March 2 editorial of the Washington Post.

Many read the editorial as suggesting that the administration of President George W. Bush would turn to the Indonesian Military to prevent the country from plunging into anarchy.

Others interpreted this as condoning a military takeover amid widespread speculations of a possible coup d'etat in view of the present political crisis engulfing the country.

The military has firmly denied the suggestions.

"The United States welcomes recent statements by senior Indonesian military officials that the military will respect the Constitution and remain out of politics," the short statement by the embassy said.

Indonesia still faces an embargo on sales of U.S. military equipment and aid, which was imposed by the then Clinton administration in late 1998 because of Jakarta's poor handling of the East Timor debacle.

Many experts believe, or hope, that the embargo would soon be lifted by the new Bush administration.