Indonesian President calls for united stand in fighting terrorism

(December 11, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Indonesian President,Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called for a united stand in the fight against terrorism. The Indonesian leader made this remark during a call on him by Foreign Minister, Rohitha Bogollagama, who is leading the Sri Lankan delegation to the Bali Democracy Forum in Nusa Dua, Bali yesterday (10 December 2008). The President said, "We must remain united in the fight against terrorism. We cannot allow terrorism to defeat democracy".

President Yudhoyono welcoming Minister Bogollagama, expressed his personal happiness at Sri Lanka's high level participation at the Bali Democracy Forum, the first inter-governmental forum in Asia on democracy. He said that the Forum would afford an ideal opportunity to foster a dialogue in the Asian region on democracy,as well as related issues of peace and security.

Foreign Minister Bogollagama congratulated President Yudhoyono on his timely initiative to launch the Bali Democracy Forum and conveyed the personal greetings and best wishes of President Mahinda Rajapaksa to him. The Minister thereafter briefed the Indonesian leader on the current situation in Sri Lanka, particularly the military operations being carried out in the North, in order to restore peace and democracy to the region. He said that terrorism posed the single biggest threat to democracy in the country and outlined the successful efforts of the government in the last two years to clear the Eastern Province of the LTTE and the restoration of full democracy, with the election of a former child soldier of the LTTE as the Chief Minister of the province. Referring to President Rajapaksa's efforts to engage the LTTE in negotiations, the Minister said that the talks failed due to the intransigent attitude of the LTTE and its lack of sincerity. Nevertheless, the Minister reiterated the consistent stand of President Rajapaksa that the government is determined to formulate a political solution to address the grievances of the minority communities. In this context, he outlined the efforts of the All Party Representatives Committee to achieve a consensus among political parties towards this end. Meanwhile, the government is already taking action to implement the interim recommendations of the Committee under the existing provisions of the Constitution.

President Yudhoyono thanked Minister Bogollagama for his comprehensive briefing on current developments in Sri Lanka, and observed that all too often the media projects an exaggerated and highly distorted picture of the factual position of country situations, and was glad to have had this opportunity to get a first hand account on Sri Lanka from the Minister. The President expressed his keen interest to forge greater bilateral co-operation with Sri Lanka and was pleased to learn that SriLankan Airlines has proposed to resume its flights to Jakarta in early 2009, which will enhance people to people contact between the two countries. The Foreign Minister hoped that Garuda Airlines would be able to reciprocate by commencing its services to Colombo.

The Minister, while noting that Sri Lanka and Indonesia have signed a defence co-operation agreement and an agreement to establish a Joint Commission, informed President Yudhoyono that he was looking forward to the visit of Foreign Minister, Dr Hassan Wirajuda to Sri Lanka early next year for the inaugural session of the Joint Commission, which would enable both countries to formulate a structured approach to strengthen bilateral relations. In this regard, the Minister highlighted the opportunities that Sri Lanka offers to potential Indonesian investors to set up industries in the country and use it as a springboard to tap the vast sub-continental market, under the Free Trade Agreements with India and Pakistan, as well as the SAFTA.

Minister Bogollagama extended President Mahinda Rajapaksa's invitation to President Yudhoyono to visit Sri Lanka, which the latter gladly accepted. The President thanked the Minister for the invitation and said that he is keenly looking forward to visiting Sri Lanka at the earliest opportunity. - Sri Lanka Guardian