'Washington won't back army coup'

'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)