Indonesia, Egypt share intelligence in war on terror<\/p>\n
Agence France-Presse, Cairo<\/p>\n
Presidents Megawati Soekarnoputri of Indonesia and Hosni
\nMubarak of Egypt (photo above) discussed here Thursday how to
\nimprove sharing intelligence in fighting terror, Mubarak advisor
\nOsama al-Baz said.<\/p>\n
The two discussed cooperation in collecting, exchanging and
\nanalyzing information "not only in Egypt and Indonesia but in
\ngeneral -- the flow of terrorist groups, the flow of finances and
\nso on," Baz told a press conference after the talks.<\/p>\n
"But Egypt and Indonesia are not countries that are in danger
\nat the moment," Baz said in response to a question from AFP about
\nintelligence cooperation.<\/p>\n
"We suffered from this phenomenon in the past and we used to
\nfight it together," Baz said. "So we're discussing ways and means
\nfor improving our ability and strengthening our hand in dealing
\nwith this phenomenon at home and abroad."<\/p>\n
When asked if the transfer of funds was among the topics
\ndiscussed on Thursday, Baz replied: "Yes, especially from those
\npeople who are conducting the activities outside the two
\ncountries."<\/p>\n
Egypt, the most populous Arab country and a major U.S. ally,
\nfought a bloody campaign in the 1990s against Muslim groups, some
\nof whose leaders joined Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda network in
\nAfghanistan.<\/p>\n
Washington, meanwhile, is concerned that Indonesia, the
\nworld's most populous Muslim nation, may become a hotbed for Al-
\nQaeda sympathizers, and is working with Jakarta to boost anti-
\nterrorism cooperation.<\/p>\n
Baz said Egypt's cooperation with other countries has "led to
\narrests and most likely they have prevented attacks," but he
\ndeclined to disclose specific cases. "These countries would like
\nto protect their information."<\/p>\n
Though extensive, Baz said, the talks on terrorism were not
\nthe main topic between Mubarak and Megawati, who met for about
\ntwo and a half hours, including over lunch.<\/p>\n
Megawati was also here to discuss the situation in the Middle
\nEast as well as economic and commercial cooperation, Egyptian
\nofficials said.<\/p>\n
Besides Mubarak, Megawati was to meet Sheikh Mohammed Sayed
\nTantawi, imam of al-Azhar, the highest authority in Sunni Islam,
\nduring her three-day visit, the last stop of her six-nation trip.<\/p>\n
Megawati heads a delegation composed of ministers and 35
\nbusiness people, officials said.<\/p>\n
A member of the Indonesia delegation said Indonesia hoped to
\nboost trade beyond the current level of around US$200 million of
\nIndonesian exports to Egypt and $16 million of Egyptian exports
\nto Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Indonesian exports to Egypt were mainly wood, paper and paper
\nproducts as well as crude palm oil and textile-related materials,
\nwhile Egyptian exports to Indonesia were mainly cotton waste and
\nfertilizer.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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