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".