World wants fair elections: Carter

JAKARTA (JP): Former United States president Jimmy Carter said a free and fair general election would encourage peace and economic recovery in Indonesia.

In a brief statement following his 90-minute meeting with President B.J. Habibie at Merdeka Palace on Thursday, Carter said people all over the world hoped to see the June 7 elections run in a free and fair manner for the sake of democracy, peace and economic progress here.

Habibie said Carter was family friend. He said he visited Carter at his home in Atlanta several years ago.

Later in the day, Habibie and his wife Hasri Ainun hosted a private dinner for Carter and his wife, Rosalyn, at their private residence in South Jakarta. The Carter's also brought along daughter Amy.

During his busy schedule, Carter, on his first visit to watch the preliminary election process here, also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas, members of the General Elections Commission (KPU) and political leaders.

These included Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung and Crescent Star Party chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra, member of the National Commission on Human Rights Marzuki Darusman and chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle Megawati Soekarnoputri.

On Friday, Carter met with chairman of the National Mandate Party Amien Rais, United Development Party chairman Hamzah Haz and Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur, chairman of the largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama.

"I told Carter we have to watch for loopholes of poll fraud at the lower administration level ... and the use of money to buy influence of legislators who will choose the next president," Amien said after a 40-minute closed session with Carter.

Abdurrahman said riots would not obstruct the poll.

"I told Carter riots do not touch the vital frame of our political system or the nation as a whole."

In a media conference on Thursday, Carter expressed his guarded optimism that the upcoming elections would run freely and fairly.

"There are doubts about the intention of the ruling party, but I think their invitation to international observers to come here is significant proof that they don't intend to cheat," Carter told the conference at Borobudur Hotel.

He said the presence of foreign observers would have a great deal of impact on international opinion.

"We have a unique capability and influence that others don't share. We are here to help bring about the realization of the dreams," he said.

"I cannot prejudge the poll. There may be violence, there may be fraud in other parts. But I wouldn't come here if I were not convinced that the President, the military leaders, members of parliament, members of election commission, political parties and domestic observers all are deeply committed to a free and fair election," Carter said.

Neutral

He predicted that the Armed Forces would stay neutral in the polling process, hoping to improve its bad image.

"This election is a test for that," he said.

Carter, who runs the Carter Center Policy Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, said he would be here to visit about 20 polling sites on balloting day. His delegation will arrive a few days before June 7.

"International observers are willing to help but we will not interfere with the process," he said.

In addition to poll monitoring activities, standardized guidelines published by the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), will be distributed to poll observers, he said.

Carter warned that a tainted election would be devastating to economic prosperity here. A successful election, on the contrary, would be a major encouragement to foreign investment returning to the country, he said.

"And I would say the wealth of Indonesian business leaders which may have gone to banks in Switzerland or other places will come back to the country... if the country has a free and fair election," he added.

Various foreign poll observers will be present during the June polls, including those from the European Community, Japan, and the National Democratic Institute, based in the United States.

Carter's delegation also plans to visit East Timor on balloting day. He left the country on Friday. (prb/edt)