*EPF206 09/21/2004
Text: U.S. Congratulates Indonesia on Presidential Elections
(Indonesia completes first-ever direct election of its president) (160)

The State Department congratulated Indonesia on September 20 for its first-ever direct election of its president, lauding these "historic" elections as a "strong example for the region and emerging democracies everywhere."

Former general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ran against current President Megawati Sukarnoputri. The official results will be announced on October 5.

The text of the State Department release follows:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
September 20, 2004

STATEMENT BY ADAM ERELI, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN

Indonesia - Presidential Election

We congratulate Indonesia on the conclusion of its historic elections this year, including the country's first-ever direct election of its president. The official results will be announced on October 5.

These landmark elections set a strong example for the region and emerging democracies everywhere. As Indonesia's close friend and partner, the United States strongly supports the country's democratic process.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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