U.S. backs tougher antiterror law

JAKARTA: The United States administration has supported the Indonesian government's plan to establish a tougher antiterror body and counterterrorism legislations, but said it has no intention to intervene in the process.

"We support it but we wouldn't tell Indonesia what to do. It is a decision that must be made by the Indonesian government and the Indonesian people," United States Ambassador to Indonesia B. Lynn Pascoe said after a meeting with Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Wednesday.

Pascoe said the United States enacted tougher antiterror legislation following the Sept. 11, 2001 attack.

Australia recently called on Indonesia to draw up tougher antiterror laws after the Bali bombings on Oct. 1. The neighboring nation sent a team of experts to assist Indonesia in this matter. --JP