U.S. hopes for better ties with Indonesia

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

United States Ambassador to Indonesia Ralph Boyce expressed his hopes here Monday that the two countries would manage to answer the challenges of diplomacy and improve relations between the two nations.

Speaking at a press conference after a meeting with Vice President Hamzah Haz, Boyce said that Indonesia and the U.S. had a long and good relationship.

Indonesia has urged Washington to halt the U.S.-led military strikes against Afghanistan during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan beginning later this month, but relations have remained stable.

Boyce said that the Indonesian government's stance is clear and he hoped that whatever Washington decides during Ramadhan, the two countries will understand each other and continue to combat terrorism jointly.

U.S. officials in Washington have said that they would continue the military campaign during the holy month despite pressure from Muslim countries.

"We may not always have a common view of how to do that but I think we were very much assured that along with many other countries Indonesia continues to be very much part of the efforts to fight terrorism," he added.

Boyce further expressed his confidence that the Indonesian government is committed to safeguarding U.S. interests in the country, despite continuing anti-American rallies, and adding that in the first three weeks of his term in Jakarta, the situation has shown improvement.

Boyce said the U.S. will maintain its commitment to remain an economic partner with Indonesia, citing that none of the American companies had left the country since the crisis begin.

He also unveiled his plan to visit the provinces of the country, including the restive provinces of Aceh and Irian Jaya.