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Presidents talk up a storm during whistle-stop visit
The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Tue, 11/21/2006 12:16 PM
Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Bogor, West Java
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and U.S. President George W. Bush concluded their much-awaited bilateral talks here Monday with the host suggesting how the U.S. should handle the Iraq war and Iranian nuclear row -- and the guest offering no commitment on either issue in public.
Bush instead promised to help Indonesia combat bird flu and offered the country technology for alternative energy.
Outside the heavily guarded venue at the Bogor Presidential Palace, city residents grumbled about traffic disruptions caused by the meeting, while others decided to take a day off.
Meanwhile, students, activists and religious groups protested in a number of cities around the nation. A paranormal had said he would disrupt the visit but police were instead grateful for the downpour which scattered protesters.
The two presidents spent more than an hour discussing a range of international and local issues and Bush listened to nine Indonesian experts talk about developments here.
Speaking about the demonstrations being held against his visit, Bush said, ""I applaud a country where people can express their opinions"". The protests were signs of a ""healthy society,"" he said.
Yudhoyono, meanwhile, thanked the U.S. for helping Indonesia in investment and trade, health, education and technology, and noted the two countries had strengthened their military ties.
When questioned whether Iraq was discussed, Yudhoyono said a ""triple-track"" solution would be needed before the U.S. could decide on a withdrawal of its troops from Iraq, one of the main issues raised by protesters here. The three conditions were the national reconciliation in Iraq, involving other parties in securing the country, and international cooperation in rehabilitating Iraq, he said.
""The global community must be also responsible for solving the problems in Iraq,"" Yudhoyono said.
A relaxed and smiling Bush later answered reporters' questions. He said he hadn't made any decision on ""troop increases or troops decreases"" but hinted he was listening to advice.
""The people of Indonesia should know that when their elected leader speaks, other leaders listen -- as do I.""
He praised Yudhoyono for his economic reforms and fight against corruption, saying the U.S. was committed to helping Indonesia to become more demorcratic and fight terrorism.
""Indonesia is an example of how democracy and modernization can provide alternatives to extremism,"" he said.
""I believe the vast majority of people want to live in moderation and not have extremists kill innocent people,"" Bush said.
""And so .. our policies are to promote that kind of form of government. It's not going to look like America.""
Bush said the United States' commitment to Indonesia saw it give the country US$55 million for its Millennium Challenge Program to help the government fight graft, and develop ""pro-job"" and ""pro-poor"" economic strategies.
Bush arrived Monday for the second Indonesian visit of his presidency. He has not spent the night during either visit, the result of safety concerns in a place where emotions about his policies in the Middle East and the Iraq war run hot.
The visit concluded with a state banquet at the palace and the president did not leave the confines of the palace during his six-hour meeting.
Bush departed the country late Monday for Hawaii, before returning to Washington.
