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.