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)