The emergence of democracy in Indonesia has "thoroughly transformed" US relations with that country, the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, said in remarks made public yesterday.

Dr Rice, due to arrive in Jakarta late tomorrow as part of a week-long foreign tour, also praised Indonesia's efforts to reconcile with neighbours and its "stalwart" role in combating terror.

"It's also a place that shows that people of many different faiths and many different ethnicities can live together in a democratic system," Dr Rice said in the interview with reporters from Indonesia and several other countries.

In addition, Dr Rice welcomed the re-establishment of normal relations between the US and Indonesian military forces.

During her stay in Indonesia, Dr Rice said she will discuss a number of issues, among them the potential for a bird flu pandemic.

Meanwhile, Human Rights First, a New York-based group, urged Dr Rice to raise human rights problems with Indonesian officials during her visit.

Of particular worry are attacks on human rights defenders, the slow pace of military reform and abuses by the police in the context of counterterror operations, the group said in a statement.