Finally some good news for the US from followers of the Religion of Peas. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is predicted to becme the first President in Indonesian history to be chosen by direct election. Indonesia still has a long way to go before becoming a fully functioning democracy, but this is a move in the right direction from the US standpoint. The best news? Yudhoyono has promised to escalate Indonesia's commitment to fighting terrorism and the Islamist insurgency that has plagued the country. Expect a lot out of the Chomsky wing of the DU on this because Yudhoyono was once stationed in East Timor as chief of staff. This SF Gate article gives some good background information on Gen. Yudhoyono:

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, a retired four-star general trained in the United States, led the fight against Indonesia's main al-Qaida-linked militant group. But in a country wary of military dictatorships and human rights violations, he also has projected an image of caution -- and was even nicknamed "the thinking general."

As security minister, Yudhoyono led the crackdown against Muslim militants after the Bali bombing in 2002 and the Marriott hotel bombing in Jakarta in 2003. More than 100 militants have been jailed so far, and over 50 have been convicted, including three sentenced to death. The assault is thought to have dispersed the al-Qaida-linked Jamaa Islamiya, believed now to have split into smaller groups with less coordination.

Yudhoyono's tough stance against terrorists in the world's most populous Muslim nation appeared to have won admiration in Washington.

Besides being Indonesia's point man on terrorism since 2001, Yudhoyono has sought to settle the country's bloodiest conflict -- the 28-year separatist insurgency in Aceh province. He negotiated a six-month cease-fire with the rebels, but Megawati pulled out of the deal under pressure from hard-line generals.

Posted by: Rusty at 02:02 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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