U.S. invites KPU to polls in Iraq

JAKARTA: Saying that the General Elections Commission (KPU) had successfully organized a democratic and transparent election, the United States invited the commission on Wednesday to provide technical assistance for the polls in Iraq, expected to take place in January 2005.

KPU deputy chairman Ramlan Surbakti said after a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Ralph L. Boyce and Congressman James Leach of the Republic Party that both had asked the commission to share its experience in organizing what they called a complex electoral process.

"The visit was to gauge possibilities for KPU to help with administrative arrangements for the general election in Iraq," he said. -- JP