Скачать или смотреть USA: CLINTON URGES PROMPT TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY IN INDONESIA

(21 May 1998) English/Nat

President Clinton on Thursday urged a prompt transition to democracy in Indonesia following President Suharto's resignation.

The president said he welcomed the decision of Suharto to hand power to his vice president after 32 years of autocratic rule.

President Clinton made time to talk about the crisis in Indonesia during a Rose Garden ceremony on NATO expansion.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I welcome the wise decision made less than 24 hours ago by President Suharto of Indonesia. It now gives the Indonesian people a chance to come together to build a stable democracy for the 21st century.
SUPER CAPTION: U-S President Bill Clinton

He went on to offer Washington's support for the new leadership.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The United States stands ready to work as we have with other nations in the past to support Indonesia's leaders and people as they pursue democratic reform."
SUPER CAPTION: U-S President Bill Clinton

But the White House is revealing little about what it really thinks of the events in Indonesia, preferring to watch them unfold.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think we have made quite clear that we do not believe that this drama has fully unfolded yet, and we are urging maximum restraint on the part of the military, and we're urging, in the political process, that the maximum extent possible there is dialogue with all elements of society - that the transition is as inclusive as possible. But we are not going to make judgements at this point, at this delicate juncture, in this democratic transition as to what precise remedy would best serve the interests of the Indonesian people.
SUPER CAPTION: State Department spokesman James Rubin

The economic impact of Indonesia's crisis has yet to be counted as Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan commented.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We have so far avoided the type of continuing down award spiral that some fear. There was and is however, as the Secretary has just pointed out, a small but not negligible probability that the upset in East Asia could have unexpectedly large effects on Japan, Latin America and Eastern and Central Europe that in turn could have repercussions elsewhere, including the United States."
SUPER CAPTION: Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan

The International Monetary Fund has so far provided Indonesia with a 40 (b) billion dollar aid package.

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