Boyce to cultivate RI's
Boyce to cultivate RI's
anti-terrorism support
By Endy M. Bayuni
The Jakarta Post
in Jakarta
The United States ambassador-designate to Indonesia urged on
Monday that Jakarta maintain its commitment to fight against
international terrorism.
In his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations committee
in Washington, Ralph "Skip" Boyce underlined President Megawati
Soekarnoputri's pledge during her meeting with President George
W. Bush last week to counter international terrorism.
"As ambassador, I will make maintenance of Indonesia's support
for the international coalition against terrorism my highest
priority, along with a continuing commitment to the protection of
American citizens and businesses," Boyce said.
He pledged support for Indonesia's efforts in fighting against
piracy, money laundering, and the smuggling of people, small arms
and drugs, according to a transcript of the senate hearing made
available by the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta.
"The United States shares an interest in addressing these
problems which interact to impede Indonesia's ability to build
the institutions of democracy, rule of law and free market," the
transcript stated.
Boyce will replace Ambassador Robert S. Gelbard, who is due to
leave Indonesia next month after leading the U.S. mission here
for the past two years.
Boyce's last position was as deputy assistant to the U.S.
secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs. He is no
stranger to Indonesian affairs, having previously served in the
Indonesian mission as commercial attache and financial economist.
The testimony came only days after Megawati's successful visit
to Washington, in which she and Bush issued a joint statement to
denounce terrorism and make a clear distinction between religion
and terrorism.
Megawati was one of the first leaders to visit Washington
after the devastating terrorist attacks in the United States.
Her presence in Washington was widely billed as a visit by the
leader of the world's most populous Muslim country. Her
endorsement for the U.S. war on terrorism was seen as support by
a sizable proportion of the world's Muslims.
Given his financial background, Boyce said he would have a
strong interest in one of Jakarta's most pressing concerns: the
urgent need for fundamental economic reform.
"Indonesia needs to get these reforms right if it is to win
back investors' confidence," he said, adding that timely U.S.
financial support would be crucial in the country.
He reiterated Washington's support for Indonesia's territorial
integrity and offered to help Jakarta deal peacefully with
separatist pressures.
While underlining the need for Washington to work
constructively with the Indonesian Military (TNI), he defended
congressional restrictions as a reminder to TNI leaders of the
importance of respecting human rights.