RI to fight terrorism: Megawati tells Bush

By Febiola Desy Unidjaya

WASHINGTON (JP): President Megawati Soekarnoputri pledged here on Wednesday that Indonesia would help the United States in its fight against international terrorism.

"Indonesia is always against violence. Terrorism is an act of violence so we will definitely fight terrorism," Megawati told United States President George Bush minutes before they held a talk in the Oval Office at the White House.

Earlier, Megawati once again conveyed her condolences and sympathy to the government and the people of the United States.

Bush, who greeted Megawati before they held the meeting, emphasized that the United States was not waging a war against Islam.

"This is not a war against Muslims but a fight against terrorism," Bush told reporters prior to their meeting.

He appealed to peace-loving countries to take part in the United States' fight against terrorism.

In her talk with Bush, Megawati was accompanied by State Secretary Bambang Kesowo, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang, Coordinating Minister for Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti and Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda.

Earlier, Hassan said that the main purpose of the visit was to provide the U.S. government and business community with information about the current economic conditions in Indonesia following the establishment of the new government under Megawati.

Hassan said that discussion on terrorism would be part of the discussions on defense matters and that Indonesia refused to link the topic to Islam.

Minister of Finance Boediono said that the two countries were expected to sign a number of agreements during the visit, but Indonesia would show great tolerance toward the prevailing disruption in the U.S., which might have arisen from last Tuesday's attacks.

Boediono said he believed Megawati's visit would be fruitful.

"They (the U.S.) have a strong economy, we believe the U.S. will survive the economic depression following last week's terrorist attack," he said.

Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Chief Theo Toemion said that Indonesia would restate its commitment to the international business community to encourage them to invest in Indonesia.

Megawati arrived at the Oval Office at 11:20 a.m. (about midnight in Jakarta) and her meeting with Bush was scheduled to take one hour, to be followed by lunch.

Meanwhile, Antara reported that Megawati would proceed with her planned visit to New York despite the cancellation of the UN General Assembly session that she had planned to address.

Besides Bush, Megawati is scheduled to hold a series of talks with International Monetary Fund Director Horst Koehler and World Bank President James Wolfensohn.

She is also scheduled to hold meetings with a number of CEOs of major oil-companies such as Exxon-oil, Unocal, Texaco and mining company Freeport.