US admires democracy in Indonesia

Antara News, Wednesday, October 20, 2010 14:38 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - US Ambassador to Indonesia Scot Marciel admires Indonesian democracy for more than ten years.

In a meeting with Regional Representatives Council (DPD) chairman Irman Gusman here on Tuesday, Marciel said Indonesia had successfully made political reform and reordered the state system.

According to Marciel, Indonesia`s success in political field would strengthen economic development because it was supported with political stability, harmonious relation between central and regional governments, and the diversity of tribes, races, and religions.

The US envoy also admired harmonious relations of Islam and democracy in Indonesia.

To his guest on the occasion, Irman Gusman also explained democratic progress in Indonesia.

He said Indonesia is pluralist and multi-culture country with a variety of ethnicity and cultures, but has equality in perspective and values because it is bound with the four state pillars, namely Pancasila, 1945 Constitution, Unity in Diversity, and NKRI (the unitary state of the republic of Indonesia).

"Indonesia`s success to be the third largest democratic country in the world is inseparable from its open attitude to public transparency and accountability," Irman said.

He also expressed hope that the already good cooperation relation between Indonesia and the United States could be strengthened even more, especially the "strategic partnership" in the fields of economy, politics, social, and culture.