Interview: 'I Will Never Give Up'; Yudhoyono is leading in the race to become Indonesia's next president. If he wins, though, his work will have just begun.(Interview)

Byline: Joe Cochrane

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is flying high. The former Indonesian Army general and government minister has a huge lead going into the country's first direct presidential election on July 5, and his campaign is only gathering speed. While most analysts expect no candidate to poll more than 50 percent, thus forcing a runoff in September, SBY, as he's known, is within striking distance of an outright victory. He took time out last week from campaigning in the northeast city of Manado to speak with NEWSWEEK's Joe Cochrane. Excerpts:

NEWSWEEK: You stand at nearly 50 percent in the latest polls. Do you think the election will even go to a runoff?

YUDHOYONO: Of course, if I could win in the first round it would be much better. If we have a head-to-head encounter, then I think the political costs will be very high [for the country].

What is it about you that has the voters so excited?

I don't know. I try to present myself, and I try to do what I say. I hope that support will be translated concretely on July 5.

You've spoken of the need to have both democracy and national security. How would you balance them as president?