U.S. envoy meets Amien Rais

JAKARTA: United States Ambassador Ralph "Skip" Boyce made on Tuesday a courtesy call on People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais to introduce himself, as he began his tenure as Washington's top envoy here.

During the meeting Amien urged the U.S. government to suspend its military campaign in Afghanistan during the Islamic fasting month, or, at the very least, reduce the intensity of its attacks.

After the meeting Boyce underlined that the current military campaign was targeted at the Taliban and its leaders, not the Afghan people.

"We believe this small (Taliban) group inside Afghanistan is holding the country hostage," he said, stressing that in principle both Jakarta and Washington were committed to fighting terrorism.

Making a personal comment on the ambassador, Amien said Boyce appeared to be the right person for the job as he seemed "sincere and not arrogant."

Boyce presented his credentials to President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Oct. 24. -- JP