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