President tells world RI accepts differences

President tells world RI accepts differences

GENEVA, Switzerland (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid assured
the international community here on Sunday night that his
government was committed to equal treatment for all, regardless
of their ethnicity or religion.

Speaking in a meeting, organized by Dunant Center for
Humanitarian Dialog, with various non-governmental organizations,
diplomats and scholars in Geneva, the President said a majority
of Indonesians have been taught to appreciate differences.

"Islam recognizes differences," he said replying to a question
about the rampant violence in Indonesia.

Top executives of the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),
and UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) also attended the meeting.

In his speech, entitled "Humanitarianism, Tolerance and
Prevention of Conflict", Abdurrahman also outlined the
government's policy in resolving violence throughout the country.

According to him, many countries in the world were facing
similar difficulties in resolving disharmony in their society.

"Therefore it is important to carry out humanitarian dialogs
in seeking a solution to the conflict, and continue efforts to
protect humanitarian principles," the President said.

The President on Monday also issued a written statement on his
plan to resolve unrest in Aceh.

He said starting on Tuesday the government would launch a six-
month program to concretely address humanitarian and human rights
problems in Aceh.

He emphasized that his government would not use violence in
ending the unrest as it would only aggravate the situation
further.

"For that purpose, a joint forum will be established for all
interested parties to identify and exchange information on
humanitarian issues and to asses priority needs and how they may
be urgently addressed," he said. He next travels to Davos, to
address the World Economic Conference and to meet international
businessmen including financier George Soros.

Separately State Minister of Investment and State Enterprises
Laksamana Sukardi, Minister of Mines and Energy Lt. Gen. Bambang
Susilo Yudhoyono and Minister of Forestry and Plantation
Nurmahmudi Ismail jointly campaigned to lure Swiss investors to
Indonesia.

Investment

At a business meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Geneva, Laksamana
disclosed that the government was drafting a new investment law
that would end all discrimination between foreign and domestic
investment and eliminate all impediments to investment.

The ministers also pointed out that the government would honor
contracts between state-owned and private companies signed during
the New Order era although many were very questionable.

An Out of court settlement will be the priority for the
government, he said.

"Our approach is to find a negotiated solution in which all
parties emerge as winners," said Laksamana.

Laksamana said the new government inherited a very difficult
set of regional issues from the previous government; however,
Indonesia, in general, is attractive for investment.

"My message to investors is that Indonesia is not on the verge
of a civil or religious war, and except for a few limited areas,
the country is an excellent and profitable location for
business," said Laksamana.

Swiss businessman Toni More said foreign investors would
remain hesitant unless reports of disorder cease.

He added that a current dispute between a Swiss pharmaceutical
firm (Roche) and its national partner was an example of the
discouraging factors for foreign investors.

From Switzerland, Abdurrahman will depart to London on Tuesday
for a two-day visit to meet with Prime Minister Tony Blair, and
British investors, including Standard Chartered Bank president
Patrick Gillam.

The President left Jakarta on Friday for a 16-day overseas
tour to 13 countries. (prb)