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.