Gus Dur, Bahrain's emir discuss economic ties<\/p>\n
MANAMA (AFP): President Abdurrahman Wahid held talks in
\nBahrain focused on economic cooperation and investment on
\nSaturday at the start of a Gulf tour, the official news agency
\nGNA reported.<\/p>\n
He met Bahrain's emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa, and
\nwas later due to travel on to Oman for a two-day visit. Their
\ntalks covered \"ways to further develop relations in the economic,
\ntrade and investment fields,\" GNA said.<\/p>\n
Wahid traveled to the Gulf from a 24-hour stay in Pakistan
\nthat followed a visit to Iran, where he asked for Tehran's
\nsupport on the troubled Indonesian provinces of Irian Jaya and
\nAceh, which have large separatist movements.<\/p>\n
He is also seeking aid to combat the economic crisis in
\nIndonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population.<\/p>\n
During his one-day stay in Pakistan, Abdurrahman Wahid held
\ntalks with Pakistani ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf and President
\nMuhammad Rafiq Tarar.<\/p>\n
He said his \"very fruitful\" meetings with the Pakistani
\nleaders heralded a \"new era\" in relations between the two Muslim
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
Musharraf said Pakistan and Indonesia, as two of the largest
\nMuslim countries, had a \"very important role\" to play in Asia.<\/p>\n
The two sides focused on ways to enhance economic relations,
\nespecially in the rural sector and Pakistan's developing
\ntechnology industry.<\/p>\n
Potential arms sales from Pakistan to Indonesia were also
\nraised, Gus Dur, as the president popularly called, told
\nreporters late Friday.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman supported Pakistan's bid to become a full dialog
\npartner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
\nRegional Forum.<\/p>\n
He also backed Musharraf's call for a resumption of dialog
\nwith India to resolve the dispute over the Himalayan state of
\nKashmir.<\/p>\n
While refusing to support either of the South Asian rivals,
\nAbdurrahman said Musharraf should not be discouraged by India's
\nrejection of his offer of dialog \"anywhere, anytime.\"<\/p>\n
\"My message (to Musharraf) has been don't be discouraged by
\nthe response at present because it's a process and a process
\ntakes time,\" Abdurrahman said.<\/p>\n
\"It's not an easily solved problem. Let's hear from the Indian
\nside.\"<\/p>\n
India has refused to agree to talks until Pakistan stops
\nbacking what New Delhi calls terrorism on the Indian side of the
\nLine of Control that divides Kashmir.<\/p>\n
Pakistan denies the allegations but admits providing moral
\nsupport to the Muslim guerrillas in the region. Kashmir has
\nsparked two wars between Pakistan and India as well as a bitter
\nborder conflict last year.<\/p>\n
\"These things should be negotiated. This is not because we
\nsupport Pakistan. This is because it's realistic,\" said
\nAbdurrahman.<\/p>\n
The visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of the
\nestablishment of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and
\nPakistan.<\/p>\n
Musharraf, who seized power in a military coup in October,
\nvisited Indonesia in March.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-dur-bahrains-emir-discuss-economic-ties-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}