Akbar meets British envoy

Akbar meets British envoy

JAKARTA: House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
received on Thursday Sir Michael Jay, visiting British Permanent
Under-Secretary-Designate from the Foreign and Commonwealth
Office, for a session of talks about democracy and terrorism.

"We talked a little bit about the war against terrorism and
the peacekeeping force (in Afghanistan)," Jay said after the
meeting.

He explained that the joint military operation in Afghanistan
was not targeted at a particular religion, but primarily against
terrorism.

Jay said that the meeting with Akbar was expected to help
strengthen bilateral ties between Britain and Indonesia.

Akbar said that during the 30-minute meeting Jay was asked
about the role of the Indonesian legislature in dealing with
international issues.

Also present at the meeting were British Ambassador Richard
Grozny and some members of House Commission I for Foreign
Affairs, including Ibrahim Ambong and Iris Indira Murti.

During his three-day visit to Indonesia Jay is also scheduled
to meet Minister of Foreign Affairs Hasan Wirajuda and President
Megawati Soekarnoputri. -- JP