U.S. government supports democratic Indonesia

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.