'Washington won't back army coup'

SURABAYA (JP): A U.S. envoy gave a reassurance here on Wednesday that Washington would not back a military coup against the civilian government in Indonesia.

Speaking to reporters during a one-day visit to the East Java capital, the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Gelbard reiterated that Washington would continue to support the transition towards stronger democracy in Indonesia.

He also said that he recently met with the Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endriartono Sutarto and praised his remarks that the military should stay out of politics.

"I congratulated Mr. Endriartono on his statements that the Indonesian Military would stay out of politics. That's a correct position," said Gelbard who was in East Java to attend the opening of The International Village at Surabaya University.

Gelbard, who in the past had been accused of interfering in Indonesia's domestic affairs, refused to be drawn when asked by a journalist of his view of the current political turmoil.

"It is internal affairs. I am very confident that the Indonesian people can decide by themselves. I know the Indonesian people are very wise and smart like you," he quipped.(nur)