Gus Dur, Bahrain's emir discuss economic ties
Gus Dur, Bahrain's emir discuss economic ties
MANAMA (AFP): President Abdurrahman Wahid held talks in Bahrain focused on economic cooperation and investment on Saturday at the start of a Gulf tour, the official news agency GNA reported.
He met Bahrain's emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa, and was later due to travel on to Oman for a two-day visit. Their talks covered "ways to further develop relations in the economic, trade and investment fields," GNA said.
Wahid traveled to the Gulf from a 24-hour stay in Pakistan that followed a visit to Iran, where he asked for Tehran's support on the troubled Indonesian provinces of Irian Jaya and Aceh, which have large separatist movements.
He is also seeking aid to combat the economic crisis in Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population.
During his one-day stay in Pakistan, Abdurrahman Wahid held talks with Pakistani ruler Gen. Pervez Musharraf and President Muhammad Rafiq Tarar.
He said his "very fruitful" meetings with the Pakistani leaders heralded a "new era" in relations between the two Muslim countries.
Musharraf said Pakistan and Indonesia, as two of the largest Muslim countries, had a "very important role" to play in Asia.
The two sides focused on ways to enhance economic relations, especially in the rural sector and Pakistan's developing technology industry.
Potential arms sales from Pakistan to Indonesia were also raised, Gus Dur, as the president popularly called, told reporters late Friday.
Abdurrahman supported Pakistan's bid to become a full dialog partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum.
He also backed Musharraf's call for a resumption of dialog with India to resolve the dispute over the Himalayan state of Kashmir.
While refusing to support either of the South Asian rivals, Abdurrahman said Musharraf should not be discouraged by India's rejection of his offer of dialog "anywhere, anytime."
"My message (to Musharraf) has been don't be discouraged by the response at present because it's a process and a process takes time," Abdurrahman said.
"It's not an easily solved problem. Let's hear from the Indian side."
India has refused to agree to talks until Pakistan stops backing what New Delhi calls terrorism on the Indian side of the Line of Control that divides Kashmir.
Pakistan denies the allegations but admits providing moral support to the Muslim guerrillas in the region. Kashmir has sparked two wars between Pakistan and India as well as a bitter border conflict last year.
"These things should be negotiated. This is not because we support Pakistan. This is because it's realistic," said Abdurrahman.
The visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Pakistan.
Musharraf, who seized power in a military coup in October, visited Indonesia in March.