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