To set the input option at run time try setting the 'checked' value. (even if it isn't a checkbox)
elem.checked=true;
Where elem is a reference to the option to be selected.
So for the above issue:
var country = document.getElementById("country");
country.options[country.options.selectedIndex].checked=true;
This works for me, even when the options are not wrapped in a .
If all of the tags share the same name, they should uncheck when the new one is checked.