World leaders welcome Soeharto resignation

World leaders welcome Soeharto resignation

SINGAPORE (Reuters): World leaders welcomed yesterday's
resignation of Indonesian President Soeharto, and urged a
peaceful continuation of political and economic reforms.

"We welcome President Soeharto's decision, which provides an
opportunity to begin a process leading to a real democratic
transition for Indonesia -- an opportunity for the Indonesian
people to come together and build a stable democracy for the
future," U.S. President Bill Clinton said in a statement.

"The United States stands ready to support Indonesia as it
engages in democratic change."

Soeharto resigned after three months of protests against his
32-year rule. He handed power to Vice-President B.J. Habibie, a
close political ally.

The Dutch cabinet called Soeharto's decision "wise and
courageous" and told news agency ANP it should help prevent
further bloodshed and unrest in its former colony.

Foreign Minister Hans van Mierlo noted the peaceful and
constitutional solution to Indonesia's crisis. "The government
hopes all parties continue on this path in the next phase of the
transition process," he said in a radio interview.

Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto told reporters in Tokyo that
Japan "will continue to support the Indonesian people's efforts
at reform".

France said it hoped Soeharto's resignation meant Indonesia
could regain stability and launch "indispensable" reforms.

"(France) hopes that Indonesia finds the road to lead it back
to political stability and economic recovery," the French Foreign
Ministry said in a statement. "France will continue to offer its
support to the Indonesian people during this process."

Both Australia and Thailand stressed the need for reform to be
carried out peacefully within constitutional boundaries.

"I believe Indonesia can work out its problems through the
constitutional process as everyone favors a peaceful transition,"
Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai said.

Chuan urged the Association of South East Asian Nations
(ASEAN) to help member Indonesia through the transition.

Prime Minister John Howard said Australia would cooperate with
Habibie's administration.

"I welcome the fact the changes are within the framework of
the constitution. It (the transition) should be orderly, it
should be without bloodshed and it should be within the framework
of the current constitution that forms the Indonesian state,"
Howard told reporters.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Singaporean
Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said Soeharto's resignation would
allow attention to focus on reviving the economy.

"I have been asked by the PM (Mahathir) to make a statement on
his behalf welcoming the resignation of President Soeharto,"
Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told reporters.

"We are pleased that the transition of power was done
peacefully according to the Indonesian constitution and hope that
with this, the political crisis of Indonesia will be solved
peacefully and attention can be focused towards reviving the
economy of Indonesia."

Said Goh: "We hope that the new government under President
B.J. Habibie will be able to restore political and social
stability, a prerequisite for economic stability."

South Korea's foreign ministry said it welcomed Soeharto's
resignation in accordance with the will of the Indonesian people.

Said President Fidel Ramos: "We hope this will provide a
lesson for all of us here in the Philippines as well as in ASEAN
that the right approach perhaps...is to stay on the track of
reform in consultation with our people and the leaders of various
sectors."

He said it was "statesmanship on the part of President
Soeharto to make this very, very difficult decision".

New Zealand Prime Minister Jenny Shipley also called the
resignation a "wise and statesmanlike move", but added the change
in political leadership was overdue.

China did not comment on the resignation, saying it was an
internal matter for Indonesia.

But foreign ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao said: "As a
friendly nabber, China hopes Indonesia could maintain social
stability and resume its normal economic development. We hope the
Indonesian government can take effective measures to protect the
lives and properties of all its minorities including the ethnic
Chinese."

Taiwan struck a similar note.

"We hope peace and order can resume swiftly in Indonesia,"
Premier Vincent Siew said in a cabinet meeting. "We also hope the
Indonesian government can ensure protection for the life and
property of our merchants and nationals in Indonesia."

Chinese traders dominate commercial life in Indonesia and, as
the economic crisis worsened, Chinese-owned businesses have been
targeted by looters.

"We follow with close attention the ongoing developments in
Indonesia and sincerely hope that the Indonesian people will
successfully overcome their difficulties, surmount the crisis and
bring the situation back to normal," a Vietnamese foreign
ministry spokesperson said.

A German MP welcomed Soeharto's resignation, but there was no
immediate reaction from Chancellor Helmut Kohl's government.

"The speedy resignation of President Soeharto is a victory for
democracy in Indonesia," said Volker Neumann, a member of the
foreign affairs committee.

South African President Nelson Mandela said Soeharto's
resignation was an issue for the people of Indonesia.

"This is a matter exclusively for the Indonesians. He has
stepped down and we must accept that he has made the right
decision," Mandela told reporters in reply to a question.

Mandela has been involved, with the backing of the United
Nations, in trying to persuade Soeharto to release Xanana Gusmao
and other detained leaders of rebels fighting Jakarta for
independence in East Timor.