RI to fight terrorism: Megawati tells Bush

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.