World Backs Jakarta's MegawatiIndonesia's popular Megawati Sukarnoputri has taken over the leadership of the world's fourth most populous nation, but her disgraced predecessor remained in the presidential palace early on Tuesday.World leaders have warmly welcomed Megawati's appointment as Indonesia's fourth president in as many turbulent years. The daughter of Indonesia's founding president Sukarno has established a strong reputation as a democrat by her opposition to former autocrat Suharto, the long-serving general ousted from the presidency by a wave of public protest in 1998. The United States threw its weight behind Megawati's election and urged reconciliation and fresh efforts to end the graft that racks the Indonesian archipelago. "We urge all parties there to work together to maintain peace, support the constitution and promote national reconciliation," said Philip Reeker, deputy State Department spokesman. President George Bush, speaking in Italy, said he looked forward to working Megawati. "We hope all parties will work together to maintain peace, support the constitution and promote national reconciliation," he told a news conference. The European Union said it was pleased the transition was peaceful -- for the first time in Indonesia's troubled history -- and hoped stability could be returned to the Southeast Asian giant. Jakarta's neighbors also welcomed the peaceful change. Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said his government wanted to build stronger ties with Jakarta, and his Australian counterpart John Howard said Megawati had long been a champion of democratic ideals. "Australia has an important and wide-ranging relationship with Indonesia," Howard said. Relations between the two neighbors became strained after Australia led international peacekeepers into East Timor in 1999 after it voted for independence from Jakarta. In Hanoi, ASEAN Secretary-General Rodolfo Severino told reporters: "I think it's a reality, this change... parliament has spoken, the MPR (top assembly), and we have to accept that." Singapore said it hoped the change would usher in a period of calm. Relations between the two have often been tense under Wahid's presidency. He once threatened to cut off water supplies to the tiny island nation. |
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