U.S. urged to stop Afghan war

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Several Islamic organizations called on the United States on Thursday to stop its military campaign in Afghanistan, saying that there had to be a more peaceful way of capturing suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden.

Representatives of 19 Muslim groups met with the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia, Ralph L. Boyce, at the headquarters of Muhammadiyah, Indonesia's second largest Islamic organization.

"At the meeting, we demanded that the U.S. stop its attacks on Afghanistan, not only during Ramadhan, but from now on and ever after," Muhammadiyah leader Dien Syamsuddin said afterwards.

Also present at the meeting were leaders of Muslim groups that have taken a hard-line stance against the U.S., such as the Ahlul Sunnah Wal Jamaah Communication Forum and the Laskar Jihad group.

Other groups represented included the Indonesian Committee for Islamic World Solidarity (Kisdi), the Indonesian Islamic Organization (PII), the Justice Party, the Crescent and Star Party, the National Mandate Party and the Indonesian Mosque Council.

Representatives of Kisdi, PII and Laskar Jihad handed Ambassador Boyce a letter for U.S. President George W. Bush, in which they called for an end to the U.S. bombing campaign in Afghanistan and the restoration of peace in the Middle East.

Many Muslim organizations in Indonesia have protested at the U.S. military campaign against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, which the United States accused of harboring bin Laden and his al-Qaeda organization.

But the demonstrations outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, which were daily occurrences when the bombing began on Oct. 7, have become far less frequent in recent weeks. Earlier threats by small but vocal Muslim groups to evict Americans and U.S. interests in Indonesia failed to materialize.

Boyce, who presented his credentials to President Megawati Soekarnoputri last month, told the meeting that he would convey all the views expressed to Washington.

"I will faithfully convey the feelings, views and thoughts expressed here today to our government," he said.

He also said the U.S. would rebuild Afghanistan.

Boyce, whose previous diplomatic postings included predominantly Islam countries like Iran and Tunisia, also reassured the participants of the meeting that the U.S. military campaign against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan should not be construed as an attack against Islam and Muslims, but against terrorism.

The ambassador said he hoped communications between him and various Muslim groups in Indonesia would continue.

Dien, who is also secretary-general of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI), lauded Boyce's promise to convey the groups' aspirations and hoped the U.S. would heed their demands.