Indonesia’s Election

* Re “Albright Could Assist in Saving Indonesia From Tragedy,” by Tom Plate, Commentary, July 14: Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has been in the forefront of those calling for a democratic transition in Indonesia, even before the resignation of former President Suharto. During her visit to Indonesia in March, the secretary personally raised the issues of democratization, reform and the rule of law with President B.J. Habibie, Foreign Minister Ali Abdullah Alatas, Defense Minister Gen. Wiranto and leaders of the major political parties that contested the election, including Megawati Sukarnoputri, whose party has outpolled all others in the recent elections.

The secretary has sent Assistant Secretary of State Stanley Roth to Jakarta and East Timor to meet with government officials and other political leaders. The U.S. cannot and does not support individual candidates. But the secretary and other U.S. officials are urging transparency and impartiality in the final stages of the vote count and in the selection of Indonesia’s next president in the upcoming Peoples Consultative Assembly, so that the will of the people as expressed in the recent election is carried out.

JAMES P. RUBIN

Assistant Secretary of State

for Public Affairs

Washington