RI can deal with terrorism: U.S.

RI can deal with terrorism: U.S.

JAKARTA: U.S. Ambassador Ralph L. Boyce expressed confidence on Thursday that the Indonesian government was able to handle those "outsiders entering the country" whose interests may pose a threat to national security.

He was speaking after a meeting with Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra at the latter's office.

The statement was issued after a number of arrests were made of foreigners believed to be allegedly involved in espionage or having reported links with the international terrorist group al- Qaeda, which is blamed for the terrorist attacks against the U.S.

Boyce had participated in a round of meetings with leaders of Muslim organizations amid a call made by the ulemas on the government's unclear approach to terrorism, as part of the worldwide campaign led by the U.S.

Boyce refused to elaborate on the contents of the meeting with Yusril, saying that terrorist-related information was also included in their discussion "of which (the objective) is mainly to keep the communication line open".

Later, Yusril said that Boyce was interested with the arrest of Omar al-Faruq, an alleged terrorist apprehended in West Java last June, who, according to a Time magazine report, was turned over to American authorities. --JP