Jakarta – Golkar has accepted a government idea to have foreign observers present during the May 29 general elections. However if "errors" are found in the results of the observations, Golkar suggests that the government takes definite steps.

"If their reports are not accurate and veer from the facts, it is natural for us to charge them – especially so if the error is blown up overseas" said the Golkar chair Harmoko in Jakarta on Saturday night (15/3). So that there would be no mistakes, foreign observers must follow the democratic system which is current in Indonesia. While carrying out observations, he continued, foreigners may not use glasses of liberal democracy as is current their different countries.

"In other words, they [foreign observers - Red] must learn about the system we are developing, including the regulations and laws which exists", he said.

According to Harmoko, there is a small possibility that they [Indonesians - JB] will take advantage of the foreign observers as a place to complain about election inadequacies, particularly Golkar. "I'm certain, there is only a small possibility the people will search for bad things and Golkar mistakes, to hand over to foreigners" he added.

[Abridged translation from Bali Post - James Balowski]