U.S. hails RI antiterrorism bid

U.S. hails RI antiterrorism bid

Anashtasya Emmanuelle and Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The United States acknowledges Indonesia's effort in
investigating al-Qaeda links in the country as part of the joint
effort in combating international terrorism, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)
chairman Hasyim Muzadi said on Saturday.

During his American visit between Feb. 4 and Feb. 8, Hasyim
briefed U.S. President George W. Bush and the U.S. Congress that
Indonesia was in the process of exchanging intelligence
information with other countries, including the U.S., in an
effort to uncover terrorist links in the country.

"After the explanation, the U.S. government understood that
Indonesia is also active in investigating possible al-Qaeda links
in the country," Hasyim said of his recent visit to the U.S.

He also clarified the nature of the country's Islamic
mainstream, which is determined by moderate figures rather than
hard-liners.

Hasyim said he had warned the congressmen that foreign
intervention concerning the matter in Indonesia would trigger
resentment from radical groups and would add to the
multidimensional crisis the country has suffered for five years.

"Should there be part of the al-Qaeda network in Indonesia, we
won't just stand still ... and it's in the process (of
investigation)," he said.

Hasyim suggested that the public avoid staging demonstrations
against the U.S. as it would only add misery to the crisis-ridden
country.

The U.S. launched a war against terrorism following attacks on
the country on Sept. 11 last year, blamed on Saudian businessman
Osama bin Laden and his organization al-Qaeda.

Indonesia, the world's biggest Muslim country, has been
criticized for its lackluster response to the global war against
terrorism, while other Southeast Asian countries have made
arrests of people with suspected links to al-Qaeda.

During his U.S. visit, Hasyim met twice with former U.S.
ambassador to Indonesia Paul Wolfowitz, who clarified media
reports that Washington planned to take action against Indonesia.

"He (Wolfowitz) told me that the media had misunderstood his
statement. He said the U.S. was giving Indonesia, which he called
a friendly Muslim country, a chance to cope with international
terrorism," Hasyim said.

Hasyim maintained it was unlikely that terrorist groups would
be found in Indonesia, but "radical groups susceptible to foreign
influence".