World leaders welcome new RI team

JAKARTA (JP): Congratulations pouring in for President Abuddrahman Wahid on Friday hastened following the election of Megawati Soekarnoputri as vice president.

United States State Department spokesman James Foley said Washington hopes the new tandem will enhance ties between the two countries.

"We believe that the election of Mrs. Megawati, whose party won the most votes in the June elections, will result in a government that is well placed to deal with these issues," said spokesman James Foley in Washington.

"There will be a democratic and legitimate foundation in Indonesia for dealing with the issues that are crucial to Indonesia's future stability," he added as quoted by AFP.

"We look forward very much to working with the new government as it tackles the many challenges ahead," Foley said, citing "national reconciliation, improved human rights, and much-needed reform of key political and economic institutions".

"We call on all Indonesians to exercise restraint and to reject violence," he said. "We expect that the people of Indonesia will in fact embrace the results of a selection process as a reflection of the popular will for reform and for change."

Japan's Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi on Friday welcomed Indonesia's new leadership, saying it could help bring about improved relations between Jakarta and other Asian countries.

"We heartily welcome the fact that President Wahid and Vice President Megawati will make a great contribution to their country's development," Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi said as quoted by Reuters in Tokyo.

He added that he believed the new presidential partnership would work to further improve relations between Indonesia and its Asian neighbors, including Japan, its biggest aid donor.

Japan has provided Indonesia with some 3.622 trillion Yen (US$34 billion) in grants and loans in the fiscal years from 1996 to 1998.

Neighbors Singapore and Australia had strong words of confidence for the newly elected vice president.

The election of Megawati Soekarnoputri as Indonesia's vice president "clearly reflects the faith and trust" of the people, Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said Thursday evening.

In a congratulatory message, Goh said "Your years of struggle have now placed you in a position which will require even greater strength, sacrifice and leadership."

Indonesia "is at an historic crossroads", Goh said, noting the people were looking to Abdurrahman and Megawati "to overcome the present difficulties and bring the country back to the path of political stability and economic recovery".

Goh expressed confidence that "between the both of you, you will bring about national reconciliation and unity -- your sincerity and genuine concern for your country and its people has touched many hearts".

Meanwhile Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer on Friday hailed Megawati's election as a victory for democracy.

Downer said the exclusion of the military and the Golkar party of former president Soeharto from the leadership should also bring an end to violent street protests that erupted following the election of new president.

"You've seen the end of the ancient regime, the Golkar regime, and I think from the point of view of many Indonesians that's the important point," he told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.

Downer said both Megawati and Wahid have strong reputations for supporting democratic and liberal reforms.

He also welcomed the withdrawal of Indonesian Military Chief Gen. Wiranto from the presidential ballot.

"It's a good thing the military aren't in the immediate leadership team," he said. "I think that's an important reflection on the way Indonesia is moving forward now, at last in a democratic way."

From Islamabad, Pakistan's Gen. Pervez Musharraf on Friday congratulated newly-elected Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid.

"I am confident that the happy ties between Pakistan and Indonesia will continue to flourish for the mutual benefit of our peoples during your tenure," Musharraf said in a message.

He said the long-standing "close and fraternal" relations between the two countries were based on their common Muslim faith and shared perceptions on important regional and global issues.

Italian President Carlo Azzeglio Ciampi in a congratulatory letter to President Abdurrahman received here on Friday described the recent elections as an opportunity for national reconciliation.

Ciampi further expressed his compliments and support to the new president in his upcoming task in bolstering democratic institutions and economic reforms.